Dfl 690 
.K4 L2 
1822 
Copy 1 




Rook ^._£:_ -■ - " __. 

- ■ ' - ' : 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/lanehamsletterdeOOIane 



LANEHAM'S 

LETTER DESCRIBING .. ' 

THE 

MAGNIFICENT PAGEANTS 

PRESENTED BEFORE 

QUEEN ELIZABETH, 

AT 

KENILWORTH castle 

IN 1575; 

REPEATETfLY REFERRED TO IN THE ROMANCE 

KENILWORTH ; 

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY PREFACE, GLOSSARIAL 
AND EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

" A very diverting Tract, written by as great a Coxcorali 
i '.lotted paper.'' Kenilworth. 



PHILADELPHIA: 



.ted and published by hickman 

fJAZZAUD, No. 121, CHESNUT-STREET 

18V 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE, 



The uncommon interest which has been excited t>y 
the admirable historical romance of Kenilworth, has in- 
duced the publisher of the present volume to reprint a 
contemporary account of the pageants at the castle of the 
Karl of Leicester, with such revisions and improvements 
as might best qualify it for general reading. English 
prose, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was either harsh 
and unmusical in its own construction, or was rendered 
almost unintelligible by fantastical and romantic expres- 
sions, such as were used by Puttenham, Lilly, Henry 
Lite, Sir Philip Sidney, and others. Robert Laneharm 
the author of the following descriptive Letter, as an 
officer of the court, naturally fell into the style of~speak% 
ing and writing which was then fashionable ; and ac 
cordingly his sentences are often so metaphorical, or 
constructed of such singular expressions, that they would 
lead the plain and general reader to doubt what was his 
true meaning. Such, together with tbe affected and 
pedantic mode of spelling, were the publisher's motives 
for modernising this curious document, and for adding 
the explanatory notes which accompany it. By many 
his labours will doubtless be received with pleasure; but: 
to those who would tenaciously adhere to the very rust 
of antiquity, he would remark with an eminent biblio- 
graphical writer, that Laneham's language is not changed, 
but only " the dust is taken from his coat, and the tarnish 
from his lace." Having thus shown the reasons which 
first induced a modern edition of this amusing detail of 
the Keniiworih festivities, it remains to give some Re- 
nt of the author "Master Robert Laneham:. 



IV INTRODUCTORY PREFACE* 

The little which is known concerning this person is 
ehiefly to be found in his own work ; where, through his 
conceited style of writing, some circumstances of his life 
are preserved which must otherwise have remained for 
ever unknown. It would seem that Robert Laneham 
was born in the county of Nottingham, and that he was 
educated at St. Paul's school, and afterwards at that of 
St. Anthony, near the Royal Exchange, which, accord- 
ing to Stow, bore the highest " reputation in the City in 
former times." His father seems to have moved in a 
moderate, if not in a very inferior rank of life; for to- 
wards the conclusion of his letter, he states, that it was 
a great relief to his parent when the Earl of Leicester re- 
ceived him into favour and protection. Laneham appears 
to have held some situation in the Royal Stabtes, where* 
also his father was placed after his own advancement in 
the court. In addition to this situation, Laneham pro- 
cured a patent, or licence, as it was then called, for 
serving the Royal Mews with beans, which, however, 
he neglected when promoted to the office of Clerk of the 
Council-chamber door. It is to this office that he al- 
ludes in the commencement of his letter, when he says, 
that he had the power, on such days as the Council did 
not sit, to visit whatever he thought proper to see, as 
well as the privilege of being present at any exhibition 
which should be prepared for the queen. Hence, it 
would appear, that Laneham's duty was not confined to 
keeping the entrance of the Council room only, but that 
he also performed the office of a Gentleman-Usher, in 
preserving the Presence-Chamber, wherever that might 
be, free from the intrusion of strangers. It is evidently 
with this feeling that the author of " Kenil worth" makes 
Laneham say to his patron Leicester, when requesting 
that he may visit the castle in the queen's suite, " Be- 
think you, my Lord, how necessary is this rod of mine to 
fright away all those listeners, who else would play at 
bo-peep with the honourable council, and be searching 
for key-holes and crannies in the door of the chamber,, 
so as to render my staff as needful as a My flap in a 
butcher's shop." Vol. ii. p. 115. , /"/". 

It is not easy to imagine what the lordly and ambitious 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. V 

Dudley could have discovered in the conceited and talk- 
ative Laneham, to have induced him to become so 
cellent a patron ; but the reasons might probably be, the 
boldness of the latter, joined to his knowledge of sever;.! 
foreign languages, which rendered him peculiarly fitted 
for the duties of a Gentleman-Usher, who could, with 
official importance, keep order in the court, and c 
verse, in their own tongues, with an) r of the numerous 
foreigners who visited it. Nor is this supposition found- 
ed upon speculation only, for towards the conclusion 
fehis letter, Laneham expresses himself in terms like the 
[lowing: " N*ow T , Sir, when Uie council sits, I am at 
hand, and attend them closely, I warrant you ; if any 
should talk, then I say, ' Peace, know you where you 
are ?* If 1 see one listening either at the aperture in the 
door, or between the spaces of it, then presently I am 
upon him for his rudeness." In a very rare small duode- 
cimo volume, entitled, " The Rules of Civility ; or Cer- 
tain Ways of Deportment observed in France, amongst 
all persons of quality > upon several occasions. London : 
1671," are some remarks en the behaviour of those who 
wait in the presence and anti-chambers, which tend 
particularly to illustrate this branch of Laneham's dutt » 
The courtier is informed, that " whilst he attends in the 
anti-chamber or presence chamber, it is not decent to 
walk up and down the room ; and if at any time he does 
so, it is the usher's duty and common practice to rebuke 
him. It is no less absurd \q whistle or sing for his diver- 
tisement (as they call it) whilst he is in waiting in those 
rooms." Again, in speaking of first visiting the state 
chambers, it is stated, that " it is uncivil to knock hard,, 
or to give more than one knock." At the door of a bed- 
chamber " to knock is no less than, brutish ; the way is, 
to scratch only with the nails. When he scratches with 
his nails at the king's bed-chamber door, or any other 
great person's, and the usher demands his name, he 
St tell him his sirname only, without the qualification 
of -Mr. S. or my Lord. When lie comes into a gr< 
nan's house, or chamber, it is not civil to wrap hims : 
n his cloak; but in the king's court he runs gre: 
1 of correction, it is boldness to enter of hi 



VI INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. 

without being introduced. If it be of importance to him 
to enter, and there be nobodv to introduce him, he must 
try gently whether the door be locked or bolted on the 
inside; ifit.be, he is not to knock or fiddle about the 
lock, like an impatient person, as if he would pick it, 
but he must patiently expect till it be opened, or scratch 
softly to make them hear: ii nobody comes, he must re- 
' ire to some distance, lest being found about the door, 
lie should be taken as an eves-dropper, or spy, which 
would be a great offence to all persons of quality. It is 
but civil to walk with his hat off in the halls and anti- 
chambers." Such were the regulations of conduct for- 
merly required among the higher ranks of society ; and 
these it was Laneham's office to see most punctiliously 
observed. With respect to his knowledge of " the 
tongues," as the ability to speak the continental languages 
was in his time denominated, there is Laneham's own tes- 
timony concerning their utility ; for in the following letter 
he thus speaks: " And here do my languages now and then 
stand me in good stead ; my French, my Spanish, my 
Dutch, and my Latin : sometimes among the ambassa- 
dor's men, if their master be within council ; sometimes 
with the ambassador himself, if he desire me to call for 
his servant, or ask me what it is o'clock, and I warrant 
you I answer him so boldly, that they wonder to see 
such a fellow there." Besides these qualifications, Lane- 
ham had travelled, having been a mercer and merchant, 
adventurer; and the very conceits he had brought with 
riim from the continent, had contributed to fit him for 
his duties in no ordinary manner. The courtiers of 
Elizabeth's time, with a few exceptions, were young 
2nen of romantic and enthusiastic imaginations, full of 
love, chivalry, and poetical expressions ; and therefore, 
one who could ornament his conversation with fragments 
of foreign languages and flowery metaphors, was of all 
others fitted to be the amusing servant of such a court 
Laneham would indeed seem to have had qualifications 
of no ordinary degree ; for besides the knowledge of con- 
tinental manners that he had acquired in his travels, his 
mind was well stored with ancient romances, chronicles, 
and poetry of all descriptions; and it was in consequence 



INTRODUCTORY TREFACE. VU 

of this that he was so minute in his account of Captain 

library. Of his love for bibliography there can be 

no doubt, because in one part of his letter he thus 

speaks: "I have leisure sometime when I attend not 

upon the council ; whereby now I look on one book, 

and now on another. Stories I delight in, the more ancient 

are, the more likesome unto me" Surely sucb an 

assertion as this will be sufficient to rank the name of 

Robert Laneham with the most eminent of the lovers of 

early English poetry and romances of the present day. 

These, then, were probably the qualifications which 

red for Laneham the favour of Leicester; but it is 

much more rliffirnlt tn pyplnin o litle whir.h he applies to 

himself twice in the course of the following letter, name- 
ly, that of "The Black Prince. 55 It might possibly be 
allusive to the sign by which his mercer's shop had been 
known in London, and this appears to be the most 
plausible supposition, for names so contrived might, at a 
former period, have been current among the tradesmen 
of commercial cities. It was also a common practice of 
Elizabeth's reign, especially with the higher orders of 
society, to invent romantic appellations for their most 
familiar acquaintance ; but the first supposition is pro- 
bably the nearest to the truth, since Laneham makes 
use of the title when writing to an intimate friend, a 
Citizen, and one in the same branch of business which 
he himself had followed. This circumstance serves to 
corroborate that it was a title used by his mercantile as- 
sociates, rather than one given him from a more fashion- 
able source. 

Such are nearly all the particulars now extant concern- 
ing Laneham ; and it is evidant that these were in the 
mind of the author of" Kenilworth," when he wrote the 
admirable description of Laneham waiting in the anti- 
room at Greenwich palace, where he even notices the 
convivial habits of that singular character, which gave a 
flushed and rosy tint to his face. This information was 
first given by Laneham himself in the ensuing letter, and 
in the following terms: — "But in faith it is not so : for 
.sipped 1 no more sack and sugar than I do malmsey, I 
should' not blush so much nowadays as I do," Having 



VI11 INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. 

now so long dilated upon Laneham's life and the duties 
of his station, it will not be uninteresting to extract his 
portrait from the Romance of "Kenilworth" itself; it may- 
well be regarded as an authentic likeness, and nothing 
can more properly conclude these memoranda concern- 
ing him. " Then the earl was approached, with several 
fantastic congees, by a person quaintly dressed in a doub- 
let of black velvet, curiously slashed and pinked with 
crimson satin. A long cock's feather in the velvet bon- 
net, which he held in his hand, and an enormous riu% 
stiffened to the extremity of the absurd taste of the 
times,* joined with a sharp, lively, conceited expression 



* Stubbes, who has denounced with much vehemence 
against the frivolities of the period of which we are 
speaking, ai)d has given us a vituperative description of 
the fashions and abuses of apparel then prevalent, in- 
veighs bitterly against all the extravagant minutiae of 
dress, from the feather in the cap to the spangle on the 
pantofie; but his zealous fury is kindled into tenfold 
rage, and indeed he appears to have reached the climax 
of His execration, as he comes in contact with the mani- 
fold abominations of the ruff and its diabolical auxiliary 
—siarch. "They have," says he, "great and monstrous 
ruffes, made either of cambricke, holland, lawne, or els 
of some other the finest cloth that can be got for rnoney 3 
whereof some be a quarter of a yarde deepe; yea, some 
more, very few lesse ; so that they stande a full quarter ot/ 
a yarde (and more) from their neckes, hanging over 
their shoulder-points, insteade of a vaile. But if jEolus 
with his blasts, or Neptune with his storms, chaunce to 
hit upon the crasie barke of their brused ruffes, then 
they goeth flip-flap in the winde, like ragges that flew 
abroad, lying upon their shoulders like the dislicloute of 
a slut. But, wot you what? The devilj as he, in the ful- 
nesse of his malice, first invented these great ruffes, so 
hath he now found out also two great pillars to beare up 
and maintaine this, his kyngdome of greate ruffes (for the 
devil is kyng and prince over all the children of pride.) 
The one arche or piller, whereby his kyngdome of great 
ruffes is underpropped, is a certain kinds of liquid mat 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. IX 

owulenance, seemed to body forth a vain, hair-brain--. 
ed coxcomb, and small wit; while the rod he held, and 
an assumption of formal authority, appeared to express 
some sense of official consequence, which qualified the 
natural perthess of his manner. A perpetual blush, 
which occupied rather the sharp nose than the thin cheek 
of the personage, seemed to speak more of "good life," 
as it was called, than of modest)." — Vol. ii. p. 115. 

Hating thus slated the few circumstances relating 
to the memoirs of Luneham, it remains only to add. some 
bibliographical notices concerning the former editions 
of his letter. The original impressions of this tract are 
of extreme rarity; bur in the Bodleian Library at Ox- 
ford are two copies of it, although of different edi- 
tions : they are both printed in black letter, and are of a 
small octavo size, but they are both without either name 
or date. In 1784, Mr. J. Green, of Stratford-upon- 
Avon, in Warwickshire, published LanehanVs Letter in 
an octavo form with a few notes ; and this was in 1/88 
succeeded by another reprint in quarto, which appeared 
m Mr, Nichols's most erudite work, entitled "The Pro- 
gresses and Public Processions of Queen Elizabeth." 
Vol. i. The latter edition was also greatly improved by 
being a more accurate transcript of the original, and by 
having been revised from a copy in the possession of the 
Duchess of Portland. A third reprint will also be found 
in the first number of an expensive and beautiful work 
entitled " Kenil worth Illustrated ;" and the prel 
sent improved edition has been taken from a careful col- 
lation of the best which have preceded it, Laneham's 

ter, which they call starch, wherein the devil hath willed 
them to wash and dive their ruffes well; which, beyne* 
drie, will then stand stiff and inflexible about their neckes. 
The other piller is a certaine device made of wiers, crest ■ 
ed for the purpose, whipped over either with gold, 
lined, silver, or silke"; and tin's he calleth a supportasse, 
underpropper. This is to bee applied round about th 
neckes, under the rude, upon the outside of the band 
to beare up the whole frame and bodie of'the ruffe from 
g doune." — Anatomic of Abuses t 15 



X INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. 

Letter is not, however, the only curious moreeau of lite- 
rature connected with the amusing Romance of Kenil- 
worth, to which this volume is intended as a very hum- 
ble appendage; for the original legend, which is pre- 
served in Ashmole's History of Berkshire, and Mickle's" 
beautiful ballad of Cumnor Hall, written in the manner 
of the metrical effusions of the reign of Elizabeth, that 
"reigne of faerie ," as it has been termed, may both be 
considered as portions of the same subject ; and as neither 
of these are known, but to the curious reader, and con- 
tained in works of considerable scarcity, they are both 
here, it is hoped, not obtrusively, inserted. 

Cumnor, which is the seat of the Kenilworth tragedy, 
is a vicarage in the hundred of Hornier, and the Deanery 
of Abingdon, situated at the northern extremity of Berk- 
shire, about 5J miles distant from Abingdon, 3 from Ox- 
ford, and 61 from London. 

"At the west end of the church, 5 ' says Ashmole, 
4,1 are the ruins of a manor anciently belonging (as a cell, 
or a place of removal, as some report) to the monks of 
Abington. In the hall, over the chimney, I find Abing- 
ton arms cut in stone, viz. a patonce between four mart- 
lets; and also another escutcheon, viz. a lion rampant, 
and several mitres cut in stone about the house. There 
is also in the said house a chamber, called Dudley's cham- 
ber, where the Earl of Leicester's wife was murdered, 
of which this is the story following: — 

"Robert Dudley,- Earl of Leicester, a very goodly 
personage, and singularly well featured, being a great fa- 
vourite with Queen Elizabeth, it was thought, and com- 
monly reported, that had he been a batchelor, or widow- 
er, the' queen would have made him her husband, to this 
end, to free himself of all obstacles, he commands, or 
perhaps, with fair flattering entreaties, desires his 
wife to repose herself here, at his servant Anthony 
Forster's house, who then lived in the aforesaid manor- 
house ; and also prescribed to Sir Richard Varney, 
(a prompter to this design) at his coming hither, that 
he should first attempt to poison her, and if that did 
not take effect, then by any other way whatsoever to des- 
patch her. This, it seems, was proved by the report of 
Dr. Walter Bayly, sometime Fellow of New College. 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. Xi 

then living in Oxford, and Professor of Physic in that 
University ; who, because he would not consent to lake 
away her life by poison, the earl endeavoured to displace 
him from the court. This man, it seems, reported for 
most certain, that there was a practice in Cumnor 
among the conspirators, to have poisoned this poor inno- 
cent lady, a little before she was killed, which was at- 
tempted after this manner: Tiny seeing the good lady 
sad and heavy (:is one that well knew by her other hand- 
ling, that her death was not far off) began to persuade 
her, that her present disease was abundance of melan- 
choly and other humours, and therefore would needs 
counsel her to take some potion, which she absolutely 
refusing to do, as still suspecting the worst; whereupon 
they sent a messenger on a day (unawares to her) for 
Dr Bayly, and entreated him to persuade her to take 
some little potion by his direction, and they would fetch 
the same from Oxford, meaning to have added something 
of their own for her comfort, as the Doctor, upon just 
cause and consideration did suspect, seeing their great 
importunity, and the small need the lady had of 
physic, and therefore he peremptorily denied their re- 
quest, misdoubting (as he afterwards reported) least if 
they had poisoned her under the name of his potion, he 
might have been hanged for a colour of their sin ; and 
the Doctor remained still well asstired, that this way 
taking no effect, she would not long escape their violence, 
which afterwards happened thus .—For Sir Richard Var- 
ney abovesaid (the chief projector in this design,) who by 
the earl's order remained that day of her death alone 
with her, with one man only, and Forster, who had that 
day forcibly sent away all h* r servants from her to 
Abingdon-market, about three miUs distant from this 
place, they (I say, whether first stifling- her, or else 
strangling her) afterwards flung her down a pair of stairs, 
and broke her neck; using much violence upon her; but 
however, though it was vulgarly reported that she by 
chance fell down stairs (but yet without hurting her 
hood that was upon her head,) yet the inhabitants will 
tell you there, that she was conveyed from her usual 
chamber where she lay, to another where the bed's-head 
of the chamber stood close to a privy postern door, 



Xil IKTRODirCTORY PREFACE. 

where they in the night came and stifled her in her bed, 
bruised her head very much, broke her neck, and at 
length flung her down stairs, thereby believing the world 
would have thought it a mischance, and so have blinded 
their villainy. But behold the mercy and justice of 
God, in revenging and discovering this lady's murder; 
for one of the persons, that was a coadjutor in this mur- 
der, was afterwards taken for a felony in the Marches of 
Wales, and offering to publish the manner of the afore- 
said murder, was privately made away with in the prison 
by the earl's appointment. And Sir Richard Varney, 
the other, dying about the same time in London, cried 
miserably, and blasphemed God, and said to a person of 
note (who hath related the same to others since) not long 
before his death, that all the devils in hell did tear him 
in pieces Forster likewise, after this fact, being a man 
formerly addicted to hospitality, company, mirth, and 
music, was afterwards observed to forsake all this with 
such melancholy and pensiveness (some say with mad- 
ness.) pined and drooped away. The wife also of Bald, 
Butler, kinsman to the earl, gave out the whole fact a 
little before her death. Neither are these following pas- 
sages to be forgotten — that as soon as ever she was mur- 
dered, they made great haste to bury her, before the 
coroner had given in his inquest, (which the earl him- 
self condemned as not done advisedly) which her father, 
or Sir John Robertsett (as I suppose,) hearing of, came 
with all speed hither, caused her corpse to be taken up, 
the coroner to sit upon her, and further enquiry to be 
made concerning this business to the full, but it was 
generally thought that the earl stupped his mouth, and 
made up the business betwixt them ; and the good earl 
to make plain to the world, the great love he bore to her 
while alive, what a grief the loss of so virtuous a lady was 
to his tender heart, caused (though the thing, by these 
and other means, was beaten into the heads of the prin- 
cipal men of the University of Oxford) her body to be 
re-buried in St. Marie's church in Oxford, with great 
pomp and solemnity. It is remarkable, when Dr. Ba- 
bington (the earl's chaplain) did preach the funeral 
sermon, he tripped once or twice in his speech, by recom- 
mending to their memories that virtuous lady so pitifully 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. X1U 

murdered, instead of saying pitifully slain. This earl, after all 
his murders and poisonings, was himself poisoned by that 
which was prepared for others (some say by his wife) at 
Cornbury Lodge, before mentioned, though Baker in his 
Chronicle would have it at Killingworth, Anno. 1588." — 
Ashmole's Antiquities of Berkshire, edit. 1723, 8vo. vol. i. 
p. 149—154. 

The ballad of Cumnor Hall was first printed in 
Evans's Collection of Old Ballads, edit. 1784, vol. iv. 
with the antique spelling of Queen Elizabeth's period : — 
in a subsequent edition of this interesting work, in 1810, 
the poem was modernized, and from that, the present 
excerpt has been made which is now presented to the 
reader : — 

CUMNOR HALL. 

The dews of summer night did fall, 
The moon, sweet regent of the sky, 

Silver'd the walls of Cumnor Hall, 
And many an oak that grew thereby. 

Now nought was heard beneath the skies. 

The sounds of busy life were still, 
Save an unhappy lady's sighs, 

That issued from that lonely pile. 

" Leicester," she cried, " is this thy love 
" That thou so oft has sworn to me, 

" To leave me in this lonely grove, 
" Immured in shameful privity? 

" No more thou comest with lover's speeds 

" Thy once beloved bride to see ; 
•But be she alive, or be she dead, 
" I fear, stern Earl's, the same to thee. 

u Not so the usage I receivM 

"When happy in my father's hall: 
« No faithless husband then me griev'd ; 

"No chilling fears did me appal. 

B 



XIV INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. 

" I rose up with the cheerful morn, 

" No lark more blithe, no flow'r more gay ; 

" And like the bird that haunts the thorn, 
" So merrily sung the live-long day. 

" If that my beauty is but small, 
" Among court ladies all despised $ 

** Why didst thou rend it from that hall, 
" Where, scornful Earl, it well was priz'd ? 

"And when you first to me made suit, 
" How fair I was you oft would say ! 

" And, proud of conquest — pluck'd the fruit, 
" Then left the blossom to decay. 

u Yes, now neglected and despis'd, 
(t The rose is pale — the lily's dead— 

" But he that once their charms so priz'd, 
u Is, sure, the cause those charms are fled, 

u For know, when sick'ning grief doth prey, 
" And tender love's repaid with scorn, 

" The sweetest beauty will decay — 
" What flow'ret can endure the storm 1 

" At court, I'm told, is beauty's throne, 
" Where every lady's passing rare ; 

" That eastern flow'rs, that shame the sun, 
" Are not so glowing, not so fair. 

u Then Earl, why didst thou leave the beds 
" Where roses and where lilies vie, 

M To seek a primrose, whose pale shades 
«• Must sicken— when those gaudes are by $ 

st 'M ong rural beauties I was one, 
" Among the fields wild flow'rs are fair ; 

* f Some country swain might me have won, 
" And thought my beauty passing rare. 

€< But, Leicester, or I much am wrong, 
«« Or 'tis not beauty lures thy vows? 



INTRODUCTORY PREFACE* XV 

" Rather ambition's gilded crown 

" Makes thee forget thy humble spouse, 

" Then, Leicester, why, again I plead, 

" (The injur'd surely may repine,) 
u Why didst tliou wed a country maid, 

" When some fair princes might be Urine ? 

"Why didst thou praise my humble charms, 
" And oh ! then leave them to decay ? 

" Why didst thou win me to thy arms, 

** Then leave me to mourn tlie live-long day ? 

"The village maidens of the plain 

61 Salute me lowly as they go ; 
"Envious they mark my silken train, 

" Nor think a Countess can have woe. 

" The simple nymphs ! they little know ; 

" How far more happy's their estate — 
u To smile for joy — than sigh for woe— 

" To be content— than to be great. 

M How far less blest am I than them ! 

•' Daily to pine and waste with care ! 
" Like the poor plant that from its sten: 

" Divided, feels the chilling air. 

" Nor, cruel Earl ! can I enjoy 

" The humble charms of solitude ; 
" Your minions proud my peace destroy* 

"By sullen frowns or pratings rude. 

" Last night, as sad I chanc'd to stray, 
" The village death-bell smote my ear ; 

" They wink'd aside, and seem'd to say, 
" Countess, prepare— thy end is near. 

" And now, while happy peasants sleep, 

" Here I sit lonely and forlorn ; 
" No one to sooth me as I weep, 

" Save Philomel on yonder thorn. 



XVI INTRODUCTORY PREFACE, 

" My spirits flag* — my hopes decay- — 

" Still that dread death-bell smites my ear j 

"And many a boding seems to say, 
"Countess, prepare — thy end is near. 55 

Thus sore and sad that lady griev'd, 
In Cumnor Hall so lone and drear, 

And many a heart-felt sigh she heav'd, 
And let fail many a bitter tear. 

And ere the dawn of day appear'd 
In Cumnor Hall so lone and drear. 

Full many a piercing scream was heard, 
And many a cry of mortal fear. 

The death-bell thrice was heard to ring, 
An aerial voice was heard to call, 

And thrice the raven flapp'd his wings 
Around the tow'rs of Cumnor Hall, 

The mastiff howl'd at village door. 

The oaks were shatter'd on the green ; 
Woe was the hour — for never more 

That hapless Countess e 5 er was seen. 

And in that manor now no more 
Is cheerful feast and sprightly ball, 

For ever since that dreary hour, 
Have spirits haunted Cumnor Hall. 

The village maids, with fearful glance, 
Avoid the ancient moss-grown wall; 

Nor ever lead the merry dance, 
Among the groves of Cumnor Hall 

Full many a traveller oft hath sigh'd, 
And pensive wept the Countess' fall, 

As wandering onwards they've espied 
The haunted tow'rs of Cumnor Hall 



P EJ2L, eLSL, £JgE^$fe 

t©lf)eatin part of tfje Entertain- 
ment unto tfje <©ueen ^ jftSajegtn 
at Mltngtoortf) Cast! in 2&attotft$fjeei: 
in tf)i$ &omerg $rtigre$$- #75 \$ 
jSignifieo : from a freeno officer 
attendant in tfje Court unto 
Jug freeno a citizen 
ano ^Kercftaunt 
of Honoon. 

DE REGINA NOSTRA ILLUSTRISSIMA. 

Dum laniata mat vicina ob Regna tumullus, 
Lata suos inter ge?iialibus ILLA diebus 
{Gratia Diis)fruitur : Rufiantur &ilia Codro. 



SIIsW«S2ffi 



* 



UNTO MY GOOD FRIEND, 

MASTER HUMPHREY MARTIN, Mercer. 

After my hearty commendations, I commend 
me heartily to you. Understand ye, that since, 
through God and good friends, I am here placed 
at court, as you know, in a worshipful room, 
whereby I am not only acquainted with the most, 
and well known to the best, and every officer 
glad of my company ; but also at present have 
power, while the council sits not, to go and to 
see things sight-worthy ; and to be present at 
any show or spectacle, any where were this 
progress is represented unto her highness : of 



2 KENILWORTH. 

part of which sports, having taken some notes 
and observations — for I cannot be idle at any 
rate in the world — as well to put from me sus- 
picion of sluggishness, as to take from you any 
doubt of my forgetfulness of your friendship ; 
I have thought it meet to impart them unto 
you, as frankly, as friendly, and as fully, as I 
can. You know well, the Black Prince was 
never stained with disloyalty of ingratitude to- 
wards any ; I dare be his warrant he will not 
begin with you, that hath at his hand so deeply 
deserved. But herein, the belter for conceiv- 
ing of my mind, and instruction of your's, you 
must give me leave a little, as well to preface 
my matter, as to discourse somewhat of Kil- 
lingworth Castle, a territory of the right hon- 
ourable, my singular good lord, my lord the 
Earl of Leicester ; of whose incomparable cheer 
and entertainment there unto her majesty, I 
will show you a part, here, that could not see 
all; nor, had 1 seen all, could well report the 
half. Where things for the persons, place, time, 
cost, devices, strangeness and abundance, of all 
that ever I saw (and yet have I been, what un* 



KENILWORTH. 3 

Jer my Master Bomsted^nA what on my ewn af- 
fairs, while I occupied merchandize, both in 
France and Flanders long and many a day) I saw 
none any where so memorable, I tell you plain. 

The Castle hath the name of Killingworth, but 
of truth, grounded lapon faithful story, Kenil- 
worth. It stands in Warwickshire, seventy-four 
miles north-west from London, and as it were 
in the centre of England; four miles somewhat 
south from Coventry, a proper city ; and a like 
distance from Warwick, a fair county-town on 
the north. Of air sweet and wholesome, raised 
on an easily mounted hill, it is set evenly coast- 
ed with the front strait to the east, and hath 
the tenants and town about it, that pleasantly 
shift from dale to hill sundry where, with sweet 
springs bursting forth ; and is so plentifully well 
sorted on every side into arable, mead, pasture, 
wood, water, and good air, as it appears to 
have need of nothing that may pertain to living 
or pleasure. To advantage, it hath, hard on the 
west, still nourished with many lively springs? 
a goodly pool of rare beauty, breadth, length, 
deptfc, and store of all kinds of frcsh-waten 



4 KENILWORTH, 

fish, delicate, great and fat ; and also of wild 
fowl beside. By a rare situation and natural 
agreement, this pool seems conjoined to the 
Castle, that on the west lays the head, as it 
were, upon the Castle's bosom, embraceth it on 
either side, south and north, with both the arms, 
and settles itself as in a reach a flight-shoot 
broad, stretching forth body and legs a mile 
or two westward : between a fair park on the 
one side, which by the brays is linked to the 
Castle on the south, sprinkled at the entrance 
with a few conies, that for colour and smallness 
of number seem to be suffered more for plea- 
sure than commodity : And on the other side, 
north and west, a goodly chase ; vast, wide, 
large, and full of red-deer and other stately 
game for hunting : Beautified with many delec- 
table, fresh, and shaded bowers, arbours, seats, 
and walks, that with great art, cost, and diligence 
were very pleasantly appointed : Which also the 
natural grace, by the tail and fresh fragrant trees 
and soil, did so far forth commend, as Diana 
herself might have deigned there well enough to 
range for her pastime c 



A KENILWORTH. g 

The left arm of this pool, northward, hath my 
Lord adorned with a beautiful bracelet of a fair 
timbered bridge, thai is of fourteen feet wide and 
six hundred feet long ; railed on both sides, 
strongly planked for passage, reaching from the 
chase to the Custle. That thus in the midst it hath 
clear prospect over these pleasures on the back 
part; and forward over all the town, and much 
of the country beside. 

Here, too, is a special commodity at hand of 
sundry quarries of large building stone, the 
goodness whereof may the more easily be judged, 
in the building and ancient stateliness of the 
Castle, that (as byjthe name and histories well may 
be gathered) was first reared by Kenulfih, and his 
young son Kenelm, born both indeed within 
the realm here, but yet of the race of Saxons ; 
and reigned Kings of Marchland from the year 
of our Lord 798, for 23 years together, above 
770 years ago; although the Castle hath one 
ancient, strong, and large keep, that is called 
Caesar's Tower, rather, as I have good cause to 
think, for that it is square and high, formed 
after the manner of Caesar's Forts, than that ever 



5 KENILWORTH. 

he built it. Nay, now that I am a little in* 
Master Martin^ I will tell you all. 

This Marchland, that stories call Mercia, is 
numbered in their books the fourth of the seven 
kingdoms that the Saxons had whilom here 
divided among them in the realm. It began in 
Anno Dom. 616, one hundred and thirty-nine 
years after Horsa and Hengist; continued in 
the race of 17 kings, 249 years together, and 
ended in Anno 875, raised from the rest (says 
the book) at first by Penda's presumption, over* 
thrown at last by Buthred's Hascardy, and 
so fell to the kingdom of the West-Saxons. 
Marchland had it in London, Middlesex, herein 
a bishopric: had more of shires, Gloucester, 
Worcester, and Warwick, and herein a bishop- 
ric; Chester (that we now call Cheshire,) Derby, 
and Stafford, whereunto one bishop that had 
also part of Warwick and Shrewsbury, and his 
See at Coventry that was then aforetime at Lich- 
field; Hereto Hereford, wherein a bishopric 
that had more to jurisdiction, half Shrewsbury, 
part of Warwick and also of Gloucester^ and the 
See at Hereford: Also had Oxford, Bucking- 



KENfLWORTH 7 

ham, Hertford, Huntingdon, and half of Bed- 
ford ; and to these Northampton, part of Lei- 
cester, and also Lincoln, whereunto a bishop ; 
whose See at Lincoln city that sometime before 
was at Dorchester: hereto the rest of Leicester 
and in Nottingham, that of old had a special bish- 
op, whose See was at Leicester; but afterwards 
put to the charge of the archbishop of York. 

Now touching the name, that of old records I 
understand, and of ancient writers I find, is 
called Kenilworth ; since most of the Worths 
in E' gland stand nigh unto like lakes, and are 
either small islands, such one as the seat of this 
Castle hath been and easily may be, or is land- 
ground by pool or river, whereon willows, alders, 
or such like do grow: Which Mt humerus writes 
precisely that the Germans call J©£tiJ I joining 
these two together with nighness also of the 
words and sybred of the tongues. I am the bold- 
er to pronounce, that as our English Worth 
with the rest of our ancient language, was left 
us from the Germans, even so that their Wercl 
and our Worth is all one thing in signification, 
common to us both even at this day. I take the 

C 



g KENILWORTH, 

case so clear, that I say not so much as I might. 
Thus proface ye with the preface; and now to 
the matter. 

On Saturday the ninth of July, at long Ich- 
ington, a town and lordship of my lord's, with- 
in seven miles of Killing worth, his honour made 
her majesty great cheer at dinner, and pleasant 
pastime in hunting by the way after, that it 
was eight o'clock in the evening ere her 
highness came to Kiilingworth, where in the 
£ark, about a flight-shoot from the brays and 
first gate of the Castle, one of the ten Sibyls, 
that we read were all Fatidica and Theobul<z y as 
parties and privy to the gods' gracious good 
wills, comely clad in a pall of white silk, pro- 
nounced a proper poesy in english rhyme and 
metre : of effect, how great gladness her good- 
ness' presence* brought into every stead where 
it pleased her to come, and especially now 
into that place that had so long longed after 



* The other of the earfy copies reads " gracious pre« 
sence." 



KENILWORTH. 9 

the same; ending with prophecy certain of 
much and long prosperity, health, and felicity. 
This her majesty benignly accepting, passed 
forth unto the next gate of the brays, which for 
the length, largeness and use, (as well it may so 
serve) they call now the tilt-yard, where a porter, 
tall of person, big of limb, and stern of counte- 
nance, wrapped also all in silk, with a club and 
keys of quantity according, had a rough speech 
full of passions, in metre aptly made to the 
purpose : Whereby (as her highness was come 
within his ward,) he burst out in a great pang 
of impatience to see such uncouth trudging 
to and fro, such riding in and out, with such din 
and noise of talk within the charge of his office, 
whereof he never saw the like, nor had any 
warning afore, nor yet could make to himself 
any cause of the matter. At last, upon better 
view and avisement, as he pressed to come nearer 
confessing anon that he found himself pierced at 
the presence of a personage so evidently express- 
ing an heroical sovereignty over all the whole 
estates, and by degrees there beside, calmed his 
astonishment, proclaims open gates and free pas- 



\2 



10 KENILWORTH. 

sage to all, yields up his club, his keys, his office 
and all, and on his knees humbly prays pardon of 
his ignorance and impatience ; which her high- 
ness graciously granting, he caused his trumpet- 
ers that stood upon the wall of the gate there to 
sou* ci up a tune of welcome; which, beside the no- 
ble nc%e, w. s so much the more pleasant to be- 
holi!, because these trumpeters, being six in num- 
bei% were every one eight feet high, in due propor- 
tion of person beside, all in long garments oi silk 
suiubie, each with his silvery trumpet of five 
feet long, formed taper- wise, and straight from 
the upper part unto the lower end, where the 
diameter was 16 inches over; and yet so temper- 
ed by art, that being very easy to the blast, they 
cast forth no greater noise, nor a more unplesant 
sound for time and tune, than any other common 
trumpet, be it never so artificially formed. These 
harmonious blasters, from the forebide of the gate, 
at her highness' entrance, where they began: 
walking upon the walls into the inner [court,] had 
this music maintained from them very ddectably, 
while her highness all along this tilt-yard rode 
unto the inner gate, next the base-court of the 



KEKILWORTH. H 

Castle, where the Lady of the Lake, (famous in 
king Arthur's book) with two nymphs waiting 
upon her, arrayed all in silks, awaited her high- 
ness's coming : From the midst of the pool, where 
upon a moveable island, bright blazing with tor- 
ches, she floated to land, and met her majesty 
with a well-penned metre and matter after this 
sort : [viz.] First, of the ancestry of the Castle 3 
who had been owners of the same e'en till this 
day, most always in the hands of the Earls of 
Leicester; how she had kept this Lake since 
king Arthur's days ; and now, understanding of 
her highness's hither coming, thought it both her 
office and duty in humble wise to discover her 
and her estate; offering up the same, her lake; 
and power therein, with promise of repair unto 
the court. It pleased her highness to thank this 
lady, and to add withal : " We had thought in- 
deed the lake had been ours, and do you call it 
yours now ? Well, we will herein commune more 
with you hereafter." 

This pageant was closed up with a delectable 
harmony of hautboys, shalms, cornets, and such 
other loud music, that held on while her majesty 



12 KEN1LW0RTM. 

pleasantly so passed from thence toward the 
Castle-gate ; whereunto, from the base-court, 
over a dry valley cast into a good form, there 
was framed a fair bridge of twenty feet wide, and 
seventy feet long, gravelled for treading, railed 
on either part with seven posts on a side, that 
stood twelve feet asunder, thickened between 
with well proportioned turned pillars. 

Upon the first pair of posts were set two 
comely square wire cages, three feet long, and 
two feet wide , and high in them live bitterns^ 
curlews, shovelers, hernshaws, godwits, and 
such like dainty birds, of the presents of Sylva- 
nus, the god of fowl. On the second pair two 
great silvered bowls, featly apted to the pur- 
pose, filled with apples, pears, cherries, filberds, 
walnuts, fresh upon their branches, and with 
©ranges, pomegranates lemons, and pippins, all 
for the gifts of Pomona^ goddess of fruits. The 
third pair of posts, in two such silvered bowls, 
had (all in ears green and old) wheat, barley, 
oats, beans and pease, as the gifts of Ceres. The 
fourth post, on the left hand, in a like silvered 
bowl, had grapes in clusters, white and red, 



KENILWORTH. 13 

gracified with their vine leaves : The match 
post against it had a pair of great white silver 
livery pots for wine: and before them two glasses 
of good capacity, filled full ; the one with white 
wine, the other with claret, so fresh of co- 
lour, and of look so lovely, smiling to the eye 
of many, that by my faith methought, by their 
leering, they could have found in their hearts, (as 
the evening was hot,) to have kissed them sweet- 
ly and thought it no sin : And these were the 
potencial presents of Bacchus-, the god of wine. 
The fifth pair had each a fair large tray, strewed 
with fresh grass* ; and in them conger, burt, 
mullet, fresh herrens, oysters, salmon, crevis, 
and such like, from Nefitunus, god of the sea* 
On the sixth pair of posts were set two ragged 
staves of silver, as my lord gives them in his 
arms, beautifully glittering of armour, there- 
upon depending bows, arrows^ spears, shield, 
head-piece, gorget, corslets, swords, targets, and 
such like, for Mars' gifts, the god of war. And 



* In the other early copy " strewed a little with fresh 

grass." 



14 KENILWORTH, 

the aptlier (methought) was it that those ragged 
staves supported these martial presents, as well 
because these staves by their tines seem naturally 
meet for the bearing of armour, as also that 
they chiefly in this place might take upon them 
the principal protection of her highness' person, 
that so benignly pleased her to take harbour. 
On the seventh posts, the last and next to the 
Castle, were there pight two fair bay branches of 
four feet high, adorned on all sides with lutes, 
viols, shalms, cornets, flutes, recorders, and harps, 
as the presents of P/uzbus, the god of music, for 
rejoicing the mind, and also of physic, for health 
to the body. 

Over the castle-gate was there fastened a table 
beautifully garnished above with her highness 9 
arms, and featiy with ivy wreaths bordered about, 
of ten feefsquare : the ground black, whereupon, 
in large white capital Roman fairly written, was 
a poem mentioning these gods and their gifts, 
thus presented unto her highness: which, be- 
cause it remained unremoved, at leisure and plea- 
sure I took it out, as followeth :— 



KENILWORTH. 15 

AD MAJESTATEM REGIAM. 

Jupiter hue certos cernens tc tendcre gressus, 
Caelicolas Princeps actulum convocat Omnes : 
Obsequium prsstare jubetTiBi quenque benignum. 
Unde suas Sylvanus Aves, Pomonaque fructus, 
Alma Ceres fruges, hilarantia vina Liaeus, 
Neptunus pisces, tela et tutantia Movers, 
Suave Meios Phabus, solidamq ; longamq'; salutem. 
Dii Tibi Regina haec (cum sis Digxissima) prxbent : 
Hoc Tibi, cum Domino, dedit se et werda Kejetejlmi. 

All the letters that mention her majesty, which 
are here put in capitals, for reverence and honour, 
were there made in gold. 

But the night well spent, for that these verses 
by torch-light could easily be read ; a poet, there- 
fore, in a long cerulecus garment, with side [i. e. 
long] and wide sleeves, Venetian-wise drawn up 
to his elbow, his doublet sleeves under that, of 
crimson, nothing but silk; a bay garland on his 
head, and a scroll in his hand, making first ah 
humble obeisance at her highness's coming, and 
pointing unto every present as he spake, the same 
were pronounced, Thus viewing the gifts, as 



16 KENILWORTH. 

she passed, and how the posts might agree with 
the speech of the poet : At the end of the bridge 
and entry of the gate, was her highness received 
with a fresh delicate harmony of flutes, in per- 
formance of Phchas 9 presents. 

So passing into the inner court, her majesty 
(that never rides but alone) there, set down 
from her palfrey, was conveyed up to her cham- 
ber: When after did follow so great a peal of 
guns, and such lightening by fire-work a long 
space together, as though Jufiiter would have 
shown himself to be no further behind with his 
welcome than the rest of his gods : and that 
he would have all the country to know, for in- 
deed the noise and flame were heard and seen 
twenty miles off. Thus much, Master Martin, 
(that I remember me) for the first day's bien 
•venu. Be you not weary, for I am scant in the 
midst of my matter. 

On Sunday, the forenoon occupied a*s for 
the Sabbath-day, in quiet and vacation from 
work, and in divine service and preaching at the 
parish-church : the afternoon in excellent music 
of sundry sweet instruments, and in dancing of 



KENILWORTH. tf 

lords and ladies, and other worshipful degrees, 
uttered with such lively agility, and commend- 
able grace, as whether it might be more strange 
to the eye, or pleasant to the mind, for my part 
indeed I could not discern ; but it was exceed- 
ingly well, methought, in both. 

At night late, as though Jufiiter the last night 
had forgot for business, or forborne for courtesy 
and quiet, part of his welcome unto her high- 
ness appointed, now entering at the first into his 
purpose moderately (as mortals do) with a warn- 
ing piece or two, proceeding on with increase, 
till at last the Altitonant [i e. High Thunderer,] 
displays me his main power; with blaze of burn- 
ing darts flying to and fro, learns of stars 
coruscant, streams and hail of fiery sparks, light- 
nings of wild-fire on water and land, flight and 
shooting of thunderbolts, all with such contin- 
uance, terror and vehemency, that the hea- 
vens thundered, the waters surged, the earth 
shook, and in such sort surely, as had we not 
been assured that the fulminant deity was all 
hot in amity, and could not otherwise testify his 
welcome unto her highness, it would have 



18 KENILWOKTH. 

made me for my part, as hardy as I am, very 
vengeably afraid. This ado lasted until the 
midnight was passed, that it seemed well with 
me soon after, when I found me in my cabin. 
And this for the second day. 

Monday was hot, and therefore her highness 
kept in till five o'clock in the evening; what 
time it pleased her to ride forth into the chase 
to hunt the hart of force i which found anon, and 
after sore chased, and chafed by the hot pursuit 
of the hounds, was fain of fine force, at last to 
take soil. There to behold the swifc fleeting of 
the deer afore with the stately carriage of his 
head in his swimming, spread (for the quantity) 
like the sail of a ship; the hounds harrowing 
after as they had been a number of skiffs to 
the spoil of a Carvell : the one no less eager in 
purchase of his prey, than was the other earnest 
in safeguard of his lffe : so as the yearning of the 
hounds in continuance of their cry, the swift- 
ness of the deer, the running of footmen, the 
galloping of horses, the blasting of horns, 
the hallooing and shouting of the huntsmen, 
with the excellent echoes between whiles from 



KENILWOttTH. \ij 

the woods and waters in valleys resounding ; 
moved pastime delectable in so high a degree as 
for any person to take pleasure by most senses 
at once ; in mine opinion, there can be none in 
any way comparable to this : and 'specially in 
this place, that oi nature is formed so fit for the 
purpose; in faith, Master Martin, if ye could with 
a wish, I would you had been at it: Well, the 
hart was killed, a goodly deer, but so ceased not 
the game yet. 

For about nine o'clock, at the hither part of 
the chase, where torch light attended, out of the 
woods, in her majesty's return, there came 
roughly forth Hotnbre Salvagio [i. e. a Savage 
Man] with an oaken plant plucked up by the 
roots in his hand, himself foregrown all in moss 
and ivy; who, for personage, gesture, and 
utterance beside, countenanced the matter to 
very good liking ; and had speech to this effect: 
— That continuing so long in these wild wastes s 
wherein oft had he fared both far and near, yet 
happed he never to see so glorious an assembly 
before : and now cast into great grief of mind, for 
that neither by himself could he guess ? nor knew 

D 



20 KENILWORTH. 

where else to be taught, what they should be, or 
who bore estate. Reports, some had he heard of 
many strange things, but broiled thereby so much 
the more in desire of knowledge. Thus, in great 
pangs, bethought he, and called he upon all 
his familiars and companions, the fawns, the 
satyrs, the nymphs, the dryades, and the hama- 
dryades; but none making answer, whereby his 
care the more increasing, in utter grief and 
extreme refuge, called he aloud at last after his 
old friend Echo, that he wist would hide no- 
thing from him, but tell him all, if she were 
here. « Here" (quoth Echo.) " Here, Echo, 
and an thou there ? (says he) u Ah ! how much 
hast thou relieved my careful spirits with thy 
courtesy onward. Ay me, good Echo, here 
is a marvellous presence of dignity ; what are 
they, I pray thee, who is sovereign, tell me, I 
beseech thee, or else how might I know ?" " I 
know," (quoth she.) "Knowest thou?" says 
he ; " marry, that is exceedingly well : Why then, 
I desire thee, heartily show me what majesty, 
(for no mean degree is it) have we here : a 
king, or a queen ?" * A queen !" (quoth Echo.) 



RENILWORTH. 21 

i( A queen!" says he, pausing, and wisely view- 
ing awhile, " now full certainly seems thy tale to 
be true." And proceeding by this manner of 
dialogue, with an earnest beholding her high- 
ness awhile, recounts he, first, how justly that 
former reports agree with his present sight* 
touching the beautiful lineaments of counte- 
nance, the comely proportion of body, the 
princely grace of presence, the gracious gifts of 
nature, with the rare and singular qualities of 
both body and mind in her majesty conjoined, 
and so apparent at eye. Then shortly rehears- 
ing Saturday's acts, of Sibyl's salutation ; of the 
Porter's proposition ; of his Trumpeters music ; 
of the Lake Lady's oration, and of the sever* 
gods' seven presents, he reported the incredible 
joy that all estates in the land have always of 
her highness wheresoever she came ; ending 
with presage and prayer of perpetual felicity, and 
with humble subjection of him and his, and 
all that they may do. After this sort the 
matter went, with little difference, I guess, sa- 
ving only in this point, that the thing which 
I here report in unpolished prose, was there 



22 KENILWORTH. 

pronounced in good metre and matter, very 
Well endited in rhyme. Echo finely framed, 
most aptly, by answers thus to utter all. And 
I shall tell you, Master Martin, by the mass, of 
a mad adventure — As this Savage, for the more 
submission, broke his tree asunder, and cast the 
top from him, it had almost light upon her high- 
ness's horse's head ; whereat he startled, and 
the gentleman much dismayed. See the be- 
nignity of the prince : as the footmen looked 
well to the horse, and he of generosity soon 

calmed of himself l< No hurt, no hurt," quoth 

her highness. Which words, I promise you, we 
were all glad to hear, and took them to be the 
best part of the play. 

Tuesday, pleasant passing of the time with 
music and dancing ; saving that toward night it 
liked her majesty. to walk a foot into the chase 
over the bridge, where it pleased her to stands 
while upon the pool, out of a barge, finely ap- 
pointed for the purpose, to hear sundry kinds of 
very delectable music ; thus recreated, and after 
some walk, her highness returned. 

Wednesday, her majesty rode into the chase 



KENILWOUTH. 23 

a hunting again of the hart of force. The 
deer, after his property, for refuge took the soil ; 
but so mastered by hot pursuit on all parts, that 
he was taken quick in the pool : The watermen 
held him up hard by the head, while at her high- 
ness's commandment, he lost his ears for a ran- 
som, and so had pardon ibr life. 

Thursday, the fourteenth of this July, and 
the sixth day of her majesty's coming, a great 
sort of Ban-dogs were there tied in the ouier 
court, and thirteen bears in the inner. Whoso- 
ever made the pannel. there were enough for a 
quest, and one for challenge an need were. A 
wight of great wisdom and gravity seemed their 
foreman to be, had it come to a jury ; but it feli 
out that they were caused to appear there upon 
no such matter, but only to answer to an 
ancient quarrel between them and the Ban- 
dogs, in a cause of controversy that had long 
depended, been obstinately full often debated, 
with sharp and biting arguments on both 
sides, and could never be decided : grown 
now to so marvellous a malice, that with 
spiteful npbraidings and uncharitable chaffings, 



24 KENILWORTH. 

always they fret, as any where the one can hear, 
^ee, or smell the other : and indeed at utter dead- 
ly feud. Many a maimed member, (God wot) 
bloody face, and a torn coat, hath the quarrel 
cost between them ; so far likely the less yet now 
to be appeased, as there wants not partakers to 
back them on both sides. 

Weil, Sir, the bears were brought forth into 
the court, the dogs set to them to argue the 
points even face to face ; they had learned 
counsel also on both parts : what, may they be 
counted partial that are retainers but to a side ? 
I ween no. Very fierce both the. one and the 
other, and eager in argument : if the dog in 
pleading should pluck the bear by the throat, 
the bear with traverse would claw him again by 
the scalp : Confess an he list, but avoid he could 
not, that was bound to the bar ; and his counsel 
told him that it could be to him no policy in plead- 
ing. Therefore thus with fending and proving* 
with plucking and tugging, scratching and biting, 
by plain tooth and nail on one side and the other ? 
such expense of blood and leather was there 
between them, as a month's licking, I ween, will 



KENILWORTH. 25 

not recover ; and yet remain as far out as ever 
they were. 

It was a sport very pleasant of these beasts; 
to see the bear with his pink eyes leering after 
his enemies approach, the nimbleness and wait 
of the dog to take his advantage, and the force 
and experience of the bear again to avoid the 
assault : If he was bitten in one place, how he 
would pinch in an another to get free ; that if he 
was taken once, then what shift, with biting, with 
clawing, with roaring, tossing and tumbling, he 
would work to wind himself from them ; and when 
he was loose, to shake his ears twice or thrice 
with the blood and the slaver about his physiog- 
nomy, was a matter of a goodly relief. 

As this sport was held at day-time, in the 
Castle, so was there abroad at night very 
strange and sundry kinds of fire-works, compelled 
by cunning to fly to and fro, and to mount very 
high into the air upward, and also to burn un- 
quenchably beneath the water, contrary, ye wot, 
to fire's kind : This intermingled with a great 
peal of guns, which all gave both to the ear and 
to the eye the greater grace and delight, for that 



2g KENILWORTH, 

with such order and art they were tempered * 
touching time and continuance, that was about 
two hours space. 

Now, within also, in the mean time, was there 
showed before her highness, by an Italian, such 
feats of agility, in goings, turnings, tumblings, 
castings, hops, jumps, leaps, skips, springs, 
gambols, somersets, caperings, and flights ; 
forward, backward, sideways, downward, and 
upward, with sundry windings, gyrings and 
circumflexions ; all so lightly and with such 
easiness, as by me, in few words, it is not ex- 
pressible by pen or speech, I tell you plainly. I 
blessed me, by my faith, to behold him ; and 
began to doubt whether it was a man or a spirit ; 
and I ween had dovbted me till this clay, had it 
not been that anon I bethought me of men 
that can reason and talk with two tongues, and 
with two persons at once, sing like birds, 
courteous of behaviour, of body strong, and in 
joints so nimble withal, that their bones seemed 
as lythie and pliant as sinews. They dwell in a 
tv appy island (as the book terms it) four months 









KENILWORTIL 27 

sailing southward beyond Ethiopia. Nay, Mas- 
ter Martin, I tell you no jest ; for both Diodorus 
Siculus, an ancient Greek historiographer, in his 
third book of the acts of the old Egyptians; 
and also trom him Conrad Gesncrus, (a great 
and learned man, and a very diligent writer in 
all good arguments of our time, but deceased ;) 
in the first chapter of his Mithridates^ report- 
eth the same. As for this fellow, I cannot tell 
what to make of him, save that I may guess 
his back be metalled like a lamprey, that has no 
bone, but a line like a lute-string. Well, Sir, 
let him pass and his feats, and this day's pastime 
withal, for here is as much as I can remertiber 
me for Thursday's entertainment. * 

Friday and Saturday there were no open 
shows abroad, because the weather inclined to 
some moisture and wind, that very seasonably 
tempered the drought and the heat, caused by 
the continuance of fair weather and sunshine all 
the while since her majesty's thither coming. 

On Sunday, opportunely, the weather broke 
up again ; and after divine service in the parish 



98 KENILWORTH. 

church for the sabbath-day, and a fruitful sermon 
there in the forenoon : At afternoon, in worship 
of this Kenilworth Castle, and of God and Saint 
Kenelm, whose day, forsooth, by the Calendar 
this was, a solemn bridal of a proper couple was 
appointed : Set in order in the tilt-yard, to come 
and make their show before the Castle in the 
great court, where was a pight a comely Quintain 
for feats at arms, which when they had done, to 
march out at the north gate of the Castle home- 
ward again into the town. 

And thus were they marshalled. First, all 
the lusty lads and bold bachelors of the parish, 
suittble habited every wight, with his blue 
buckram bride-lace upon a branch of green 
broom (because rosemary is scant thepe) tied 
on his left arm, for on that side lies the heart ; 
and his alder pole for a spear in iiis right hand, 
in martial order ranged on afore, two and 
two in a rank: Some with a hat, some in a 
cap, some a coat, some a jerkin, some for 
lightness in doublet and hose, clean truss'd 
with points afore; Some boots and no spurs, 
this spurs and no boots, and he again nei~ 



KENILWORTH. 29 

ther one nor other : One had a saddle, ano- 
ther a pad or a pannel fastened with a cord, 
for girths were geazon : And these, to the num** 
ber of sixteen wights, riding men and well be- 
seen : But the bridegroom foremost in his fa- 
ther's tawny worsted jacket, (for his friends were 
fain that he should be a bride-groom before the 
queen) a fair straw hat with a capital crown, stee- 
ple-wise on his head ; pair of harvest gloves on 
his hands, as a sign of good hushandry ; a pen and 
ink-horn at his back, for he would be known to 
be bookish : lame of a leg that in his youth was 
broken at football ; well beloved of his mother, 
who lent him a new muffler for a napkin, that 
was tied to his girdle for losing it It was 
no small sport to mark this minion in his full 
appointment, that, through good tuition, became 
as formal in his action as had he been a bride- 
groom indeed ; with this special grace by the 
way. that ever as he would have framed to 
to himself the better countenance, with the worst 
face he looked. 

Well, Sir, after these horsemen, a lively 
morrice-dance according to the ancient man* 



3@ KENILWORTH. 

ner : six dancers, maid-marian, and the fooL 
Then three pretty pucelles, as bright as a breast 
of bacon, oftnirty years old a-piece j that carried 
three special spice-cakes of a bushel of wheat 
(they had by measure, out of my lord's bake- 
house) before the bride, Cicely, with set coun- 
tenance and lips so demurely simpering, as it 
had been a mere cropping of a thistle. After 
these, a lovely loober-worts, freckle-faced, red- 
headed, clean trussed in his doublet and his hose, 
taken up now indeed by commission, for that he 
was loath to come forward, for reverence belike 
of bis new cut canvas doublet ; and would by his 
good will have been but a gazer, but found to 
be a meet actor for his office ; that was to bear 
the bride-cup, formed of a sweet sucket barrel, a 
fair turnM foot set to it, ail seemly besilvered and 
parcel gilt adorned with a beautiful branch of 
broom, gaily be gilded for rosemary : from 
which two broad bride laces of red and yellow 
buckram begilded, and gallantly streaming by 
such wind as there was, for he carried it 
aloft: this gentle cup-bearer had his freck- 
led physiognomy somewhat unhappily infested^ 



KENILWORTK, 31 

as he went by the busy flies, that flocked about 
the bride-cup, for the sweetness of the sucket 
that it savoured of; but he, like a tall fellow, 
withstood their malice stoutly— see what man- 
hood may do — beat them away, killed them by 
scores, stood to his charge, and marched on in 
good order. 

Then followed the worshipful bride, led, after 
the country manner, between two ancient parish- 
ioners, honest townsmen. But a stale stallion 
and a well spread (hot as the weather was) God 
wot, and ill-smelling was she ; thirty years 
old,* of colour brown-bay, not very beautiful in* 
deed, but ugly, foul, and ill-favoured; yet mar- 
vellous fond of the office, because she heard 
say she should dance before the queen, in which 
feat she thought she would foot it as finely as 
the best : Well, after this bride there came, by 
two and two, a dozen damsels for bride-maids, 
that for favour, attire, for fashion and clean- 
liness, were as meet for such a bride as a tureen 



* The other early copy reads " thirty-five years old, 5 
E 



32 KENILWOKTH. 

ladle for a porridge-pot: More, but for fear of 
carrying all clean, had been appointed, but these 
few were enough. 

As the company in this order were come into 
the court, marvellous were the martial acts that 
were done there that day. The bride -groom, for 
pre-eminence, had the first course at the quin- 
tain, and broke his spear with true hardiment ; but 
his mare in her manege did a little so titubate, 
that much ado had his manhood to sit in his 
saddle, and escape the foil of a fall ; with 
the help of his hand, yet he recovered himself, 
and lost not his stirrups (for he had none to his 
saddle) had no hurt as it happened, but only 
that his girth burst, and lost his pen and ink- 
horn which he was ready to weep for : but his 
handkercher, as good hap was, found he safe at 
his girdle : that cheered him somewhat, and had 
good regard it should not be soiled. For though 
heat and cold had upon sundry occasions made 
him sometimes to sweat, and sometimes rheuma- 
tic, yet durst he be bolder to blow his nose and 
wipe his face with the flappet of his fathers's jack- 
et, than with his mother's muffler: 'tis a goodly 



KBXILWORTH. 33 

matter, when youth are mannerly brought up, in 
fatherly love and motherly awe. 

Now, Sir, after the bride-groom had made 
his course, ran the rest of the band a while 
in some order ; but soon after, tag and rag, 
cut and long tail : where the specialty of 
the sport was, to see how some for their 
slackness had a good bob with the bag ; and 
some for their haste, too, would topple down- 
right, and come down tumbling to the post: 
Some striving so much at the first setting 
out, that it seemed a question between the man 
and the beast, whether the course should be 
made on horseback or on foot : and put forth 
with the spurs, then would run his race by as 
among the thickest of the throng, that down 
came they together, hand over hand » Another, 
while he directed his course to the quintain, 
his jument would carry him to a mare among 
the people ; so his horse was as amorous, as him- 
self adventurous : Another, too, would run and 
miss the quintain with his staff, and hit the board 
with his head. 

Many such frolicsome games were there 



34 KENILWORTH. 

among these riders ; who, by and by after- 
wards, upon a greater courage, left their quin- 
taining, and ran at one another. There to see 
the stern countenances, the grim looks, the 
courageous attempts, the desperate adventures, 
the dangerous curvets, the tierce encounters, 
whereby the buff at the man, and the counter- 
buff at the horse, that both semetimes came 
topling to the ground : By my troth, Master 
Martin; 'twas a lively pastime: I believe it 
would have moved a man to a right merry mood, 
though it had been told him that his wife lay dy* 
ing. 

And hereto followed as good a sport, methought, 
presented in an historical cue, by certain good- 
hearted men of Coventry, my lord's neighbours 
there : who understanding among them the thing 
that could not be hidden from any : how careful 
and studious his honour was, that by all pleasant 
recreations her highness might best find herself 
welcome, and be made gladsome and merry, (the 
ground-work indeed and foundation of his lord- 
ship's mirth, and gladness of us all) made pe« 
iition that they might renew now their old storial 



KENIL WORTH. 35 

show: of argument how the Danes whilom here 
in a troublous season were for quietness borne 
-withal and suffered in peace, that anon, by- 
outrage and insupportable insolency, abusing 
both Ethelred the king, then, and all estates 
every where beside; at the* grievous complaint 
and counsel* of Huna, the king's chieftain 
in wars, on Saint Brice's night, Anno Dom. 
1012, (as the book says, that falleth yearly 
on the thirteenth of November) were all dis- 
patched and the realm rid. And for because 
that the matter mentioneth how valiantly our 
English women, for love of their country, be- 
haved themselves, expressed in action and 
rhymes after their manner, they thought it might 
move some mirth to her majesty the rather. 
The thing, said they, is grounded in story, and 
for pastime wont to be played in our city yearly: 
without ill example ot manners papistry, or any 
superstition : and else did so occupy the heads 
of a number, that likely enough would have 
had worse meditations: had an ancient begin- 
ning and a long continuance 'till now of late laid 
down, they knew no cause why, unless it Was by 

e 2 



36 KENILWORTH, 

the zeal of certain of their preachers; men very 
commendable for their behaviour and learning, 
and sweet in their sermons, but somewhat too 
sour in preaching away their pastime: they 
wished therefore, that as they should continue 
their good doctrine in pulpit, so, for matters of 
policy and governance of the city, they would 
permit them to the mayor and the magistrates: 
and said, by my faith, Master Martin, they 
would make their humble petition unto her 
highness, that they might have their plays up 
again. 

But aware, keep back, make room now, here 
they come — 

And first, Captain Cox, an odd man, I pro- 
mise you : by profession a mason, and that right 
skilful : very cunning in ft nee, and hardy as 
Gawain ; for his ton-sword hangs at his table's 
end ; great oversight hath he in matters of story s 
For as for King Arthur's Book j Huon of Bor- 
deaux ; The Four Sons of Aymon ; Bevis of 
Ham fit on ; The Squire of Low Degree ; The 
Knight oj Courtesy r , and the Lady Faguell i 
Frederick of Geneva s Sir Mglamour ; Sir Tryc* 



KRNILWORTHL 37 

piour; Sir Lamwell ; Sir Isenbras ; Sir Ga- 
wain; Oliver of the Castle ; Lucrece and Eury- 
alus ; Virgil's Life ; The Castle of Ladies ; The 
Widow Edyth ; The King and the Tanner; 
Friar Rush ; Howleglas ; Gargantua ; Robin 
Hood ; Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough* and Wil- 
liam of Cloudesley ; The Churl and the Bird; The 
Seven Wise Masters ; The Wife lafit in a Mor- 
el' s-skin ; The sack full of News ; The Ser- 
jeant that became a Friar ; Scogan ; Colin 
Clout ; The Friar and the Boy ; Elynour Rum- 
ming ; and The Nutbrown Maid ; with many more 
than I rehearse here — I believe he hath them all 
at his fingers ends. 

Then in philosophy, both moral and natural, 
I think he be as naturally overseen ; beside 
poetry and astronomy, and other hid sciences, 
as I may guess by the omberty of his books ; 
whereof part as I remember, The Shepherd's Ka- 
lendar ; The Ship, of Fools ; Daniel's Dreams; 
The Book of Fortune ; Stans Puer ad Mensam ; 
The Highway to the Spittle house ; Julian of 
Brentford's Testament ; The Castle of Love ; 
The Budget of Demands ; The Hundred Merry 



38 KENILWORTH 

Tales; The Book of Riddles ; The Seven Sor- 
rows of Women; The Proud Wives Patcr-Nos* 
ter ; The Chafiman of a Pennyworth of Wit. 
Besides his ancient plays, Youth and Charity ; 
Hickskorner ; A r ugizee ; Impatient Poverty; 
and herewith Doctor Boord's Breviary^ of Health. 
What should I rehearse here ; what a bunch of 
ballads and songs, all ancient: as Broom broom 
on Hill; So woe is me begone^ trolly lo ; Over 
Whinny Meg ; Hey ding a ding ; Bonny lass 
upon a green ; My bonny one gave me a beck; 
By a bank as I lay : and a hundred more he 
hath fair wrapt up in parchment, and bound 
with a whipcord. And as for Almanacs of 
antiquity, (a point for Ephemerides) I ween he 
can show from Jasper Laet of Antwerp unto Nos- 
tradamus of France, and thence unto our John 
Securiz of Salisbury. To stay ye no longer 
herein, I dare say he hath as fair a library of 
these sciences, and as many goodly monuments 
both in prose and poetry, and at afternoons can 
talk as much without book, as any inn-holder 
between Brentford and Bagshot? what degree so- 
ever he fee G 



KENILWORTH. 39 

Beside this, in the field a good marshal at mus- 
ters; of very great credit and trust in the town 
here ; for he has been chosen ale-conner many 
a year, when his betters have stood by ; and hath 
ever acquitted himself with such estimation, as 
to taste of a cup of M/i/ritaCe, his judgment will 
be taken above the best in the parish, be his nose 
ne'er so red. 

Captain Cox came marching on valiantly be- 
fore, clean trussed and gartered above the knee, 
all fresh in a velvet cap (Master Golding lent it 
him) flourishing with his ton-sword ; and ano- 
ther fence-master with him : Thus in the for- 
ward making room for the rest. After them, 
proudly pricked on foremost, the Danish lance- 
knights on horseback, and then the English : Each 
with their alder pole martially in their hand. 
Even at the first entry, the meeting waxed some- 
what warm i that by and by, kindled with cour- 
age on both sides, grew from a hot skirmish unto 
a blazing battle : first by spear and shield, outra- 
geous in their races as rams at their rut; with 
furious encounters, that together they tumbled 
to the dust, sometimes horse and man, and after 



40 KENILWORTH, 

fall to it with sword and target, good bangs 
on both sides. The fight so ceasing, but the 
battle not so ended : then followed the footmen ; 
both the hosts one alter the other: — first 
marching in ranks; then warlike turning; then 
from ranks into squadrons ; then into triangles ; 
from that into rings, and so winding out again. 
A valiant captain of great prowess, as fierce as a 
fox assaulting a goose, was so hardy to give the 
first stroke : then got they so grisly together, 
that great was the activity that day to be seen 
there on both sides : the one very eager for pur- 
chase of prey, the other utterly stout for redemp- 
tion of liberty : thus, quarrel enflamed the fury 
on both sides: twice the Danes had the better, 
but at the last conflict, beaten down, overcome, 
and many led captive for triumph by our English 
women. 

This was the effect of this show ; that as it 
was handled, made much matter of good pastime, 
brought all, indeed, into the great court, even 
under her highness's window, to have seen : 
but as unhappy it was for the bride, that came 
thither too soon, (and yet it was four o'clock) 



KENILWORTH. 4£ 

for her highness beholding in the chamber 
delectable dancing indeed, and therewith the 
great throng and unruliness of the people, was 
cause that this solemnity of bridal and dancing 
had not the full muster that was hoped for. 
Her highness also saw but little of the Coven- 
try play, and commanded it therefore on the 
Tuesday following to have it full out : as accord- 
ingly it was presented ; whereat her majesty- 
laughed well : They were the merrier, and so 
much the more, because her highness had given 
them two bucks and five marks in money, to 
make merry together : They prayed for her ma- 
jesty, long happily to reign, and oft to come thi- 
ther, that oft they might see her; and what re- 
joicing upon their ample reward, and what tri- 
umphing upon the good acceptance, they vaunt- 
ed their play was never so dignified, nor ever any 
players before so beatified. 

Thus, tho' the day took an end, yet slipped 
not the night all sleeping away : for as neither 
office nor obsequy ceased at any time to the full, 
to perform the plot his honour had appointed, 
so after supper was there a play of a very good 



42 KENILWORTH. 

theme presented: but so set forth, by the actors 
well handling, that pleasure and mirth made it 
seem very short, tho* it lasted two good hours 
and more. But stay, Master Martin^ all is not 
done. yet. 

After the play, out of hand followed a most 
delicious and (if I may so term it) an ambrosial 
banquet : whereof, whether 1 might more muse 
at the daintiness, shapes, and the cost; or else, at 
the variety and number of the dishes (that were 
three hundred) for my part, I couid little tell 
then ; and now less, I assure you. Her ma- 
jesty eat smally or nothing ; which under- 
stood, the courses were not so orderly served 
and sizely set down, but were, by and by, as dis- 
orderly wasted and coarsely consumed ; more 
courtly, methought, than courteously : But that 
was no part of the matter ; it mighc please and 
be liked, and do that it came for, then was all 
well enough. 

Unto this banquet there was appointed a 
masque ; for riches of array of an incredible 
cost : but the time being so far spent, and very 
late in the night now, was cause that it came not 



KENILWORTH. 43 

forth to the show ; And thus for Sunday'9 sea- 
son, having staid you the longer, according to the 
matter, here make I an end : Ye may breathe ye 
awhile. 

Monday the eighteenth of this July, the wea- 
ther being hot, her highness kept the castle for 
coolness, 'till about five o'clock, her majesty in 
the chase hunted the hart (as afore) of force : 
that whether were it by the cunning of the hunts- 
men, or by the natural desire of the deer, or else 
by both ; anon he got him to soil again, which 
raised the accustomed delight : a pastime in- 
deed so entirely pleasant, as whereof at times 
who may have the full and free fruition, can 
find no more satiety (I ween) for the recreation, 
than of their good viands at times for their sus« 
tenance. 

Well, the game was gotten : and her high- 
ness returning, came there upon a swim- 
ming mermaid, (that from top to tail was 
eighteen feet long,) Triton, Neptune's blaster : 
who with his trumpet formed of a wrinkled 
welk, as her majesty was in sight, gave sound 
very shrill and sonorous, in sign he had an em- 

F 



44 KENILWORTH. 

bassy to pronounce. Anon her highness was 
coming upon the bridge, whereunto he made his 

fish to swim the swifter ; he then declared 

"How the supreme salsipotent monarch Nep- 
" tune, the great god of the swelling seas, prince 
" of profundities, and sovereign signor of all 
" lakes, fresh waters, rivers, creeks, and gulphs ; 
" understanding how a cruel Knight, one Sir 
" Bruce sans fiitie, a mortal enemy unto ladies 
" of estate, had long lain about the banks of this 
"pool, in wait with his bands here, to distress 
" the Lady of the Lake, whereby she had been 
"restrained not only from having any use of 
"her ancient liberty and territories in these 
" parts, but also of making repair and giving 
" attendance unto you, noble queen, (quo' he) 
" as she would ; she promised, and also should: 
"doth therefore signify, and hereto, of you, as of 
"her good liege and dear friend, make this re- 
" quest, that you will deign but to show your per- 
son toward this pool ; whereby your only pre- 
" sence shall be matter sufficient of abandoning 
" this uncourteous Knight, and putting all his 



KISNILWORTH. 45 

* bands to flight, and also deliver the lady out of 
" this thraldom. 55 

Moving herewith from the bridge, and fleeting 
more into the pool, charged he in Nejitune's name 
JEolus with all his winds, the waters with his 
springs, his fish and fowl, and all his clients in 
the same, that they ne be so hardy in any force 
to stir, but keep them calm and quiet while 
this queen be present. At which petition her 
highness staying, it appeared straight how Sir 
Bruce became unseen, his bands scaled, and the 
lady, by and by, with her two nymphs floating 
upon her moveable islands, Triton, on his mer- 
maid skimming by, approached towards her 
highntss on the bridge — -as well to declare 
that her majesty's presence had so graciously 
thus wrought her deliverance, as also to excuse 
her not coming to court as she promised, and 
chiefly to present her majesty, as a token of 
her duty and good heart, for her highness' re- 
creation, with this gift : which was, Arion^ that 
excellent and famous musician ; in tire and 
appointment strange, well seeming to his per- 



I 



46 KENILWORTH. 

son, riding aloft upon his old friend the dolphin* 
that from head to tail was four and twenty feet 
long, and swam hard by these islands. Here- 
with, Arion, for these great benefits, after a few 
well-couched words unto her majesty of thanks- 
giving, in supplement of the same ; began a de- 
lectable ditty of a song well apted to a melodious 
noise ; compounded of six several instruments, 
all covert, casting sound from the dolphin's bel- 
ly within : Arion> the seventh, sitting thus sing- 
ing (as I say) without. 

Now, Sir, the ditty in metre so aptly endited 
to the matter, and after by voice deliciously deli- 
vered. The song, by a skilful artist into his parts 
so sweetly sorted ; each part in his instrument 
so clean and sharply touched ; every instrument 
again in his kind so excellently tunable ; and 
this in the evening of the day, resounding from 
the calm waters, where the presence of her 
majesty, and longing to listen, had utterly 
damped all noise and din ; the whole harmony 
conveyed in time, tune, and temper thus incom- 
parable melodious ; with what pleasure, {Master 
Martin) with what sharpness of conceit, with 



KENTLWORTH. 47 

what lively delight, this might pierce into the 
hearer's hearts, I pray ye imagine yourself, as 
ye may; for, so God judge me, by all the wit 
and cunning I have, I cannot express, I promise 
you. " Mais j'ai feien vu cela, Monsieur, que 
"fort grande est la pouvoir qu'avoit la tres noble 
" science de Musique sur Tesprit humain." Per- 
ceive ye me ? I have told you a great matter 
now : As for me, surely I was lulled in such li- 
king, and so loath to leave off, that much ado a 
good while after had I, to find me where 1 was. 
And take ye this by the way, that for the small 
skill in music that God hath sent me (you know 
it is somewhat,) Til set the more by myself while 
my name is Laneham ; and, grace of God, mu- 
sic is a noble art ! 

But stay a while, see a short wit : by troth I 
had almost forgot. This day was a day of grace 
beside, wherein were advanced five gentlemen 
of worship unto the degree of Knighthood ; Sir 
Thomas Cecil ; son and heir unto the right hon- 
ourable the lord treasurer, Sir Henry Cobham, 
brother unto the Lord Cobham; Sir Tho- 
mas gtanhofie ; Sir Arthur Basset; and <° 






* 



48 KENILW0RTH. 

Thomas Tresham. And also by her highness 3 
accustomed mercy and charity, nine were cured 
of the painful and dangerous disease called the 
king's evil ; for that kings and queens of this realm, 
without other medicine, save only by handling 
and prayers, do cure it : Bear with me, though 
perchance I place not those gentlemen in my 
recital here, after their estates ; for I am nei- 
ther a good herald of arms, nor yet know how 
they are set in the subsidy books : men of great 
worship I understand they are all. 

Tuesday, according to commandment, came 
our Coventry men. What their matter was, of 
her highness* mirth and good acceptance, and 
reward unto them, and of their rejoicing thereat, 
I have informed you before, and so say the less 
now. 

Wednesday, in the forenoon, preparation was 
in hand for her majesty to have supped in 
Wedgenall, three miles west from the Castle, a 
goodly park of the queen's majesty.* For 



* The Duchess of Portland's copy reads " a goodly 
park of the right honourable my very good lord the 



r 



KENILWORTH. 49 

that cause a fair pavilion, and other provision 
was accordingly thither sent and prepared : but 
by means of the weather not so clearly disposed, 
the matter was countermanded again. Had 
her highness happened this day to have come 
abroad, there was made ready a device of god- 
desses and nymphs, which, as well for the inge- 
nious argument, as for the well handling of it in 
rhyme and enditing, would undoubtedly have 
gained great liking, and moved no less delight* 
Of the particularities whereof, however, I cease 
to entreat, lest like the bungling carpenter, by 
mis-sorting the pieces, I mar a good frame in the 
bad setting up ; or by my bad tempering before- 
hand, blemish the beauty, when it should be 
reared up indeed. This day also was there such 
earnest talk and appointment of removing, that 
I gave over my noting, and hearkened after my 
horse. 

Marry, Sir, I must tell you : As all endeavour 



Earl of Warwick." It still belongs to that noble family, 
and is now called Wedgnock Park. — JYichots's Progresses. 
1788, vol. i. 






50 KENILWORTH. 

was to move mirth and pastime (as I told you) 
even so, a ridiculous device of an ancient min- 
strel and his song, was prepared to have been 
proffered, if meet time and place had been found 
for it. Once in a worshipful company, where I 
chanced to be, full appointed, he recounted his 
matter in sort as it should have been uttered. 
What I noted, here thus, I tell you.— 

4> person very meet seemed he for the pur- 
pose, of forty five years old, appareled partly as 
he would himself. His cap of his head, seemly 
rounded tonsor-wise ; fair combed, that with a 
sponge daintily dipped in a little capon's grease 
was finely smoothed* to make it shine like a 
mallard's wing. His beard smugly shaven ; and 
yet his shirt after the new trick, with ruffs fair 
starched, sleeked and glistering like a pair of 
new shoes ; marshaled in good order with a 
setting stick, and stout that every ruff stood 
Up like a wafer. A side gown of Kendal- green, 
after the freshness of the year now ; gathered at 
the neck with a narrow gorget, fastened afore 
with a white clasp, and a keeper, close up to the 
chin 9 but easily for heat to undo when he list? 



KENILWORTH. 51 

seemly begirt in a red Cadiz girdle ; from that 
a pair of capped Sheffield knives hanging to a 
side : Out of his bosom drawn forth a lappet of 
his napkin, edged with blue lace, and marked 
with a truelove [knot] a heart, and a D. for Da- 
mian, for he was but a batchelor yet. 

His gown had side [i. e. long] sleeves down 
to mid-leg, slit from the shoulder to the hand, 
and lined with white cotton. His doublet-sleeves 
of black worsted ; upon them a pair of poignets 
[i. e. wristbands] of tawny camblet, laced along 
the wrist with blue threaden points ; a welt to- 
ward the hand of fustian-a-napes : a pair of red 
aether-stocks ; a pair of pumps on his feet, 
with a cross cut at the toes for corns ; not new 
indeed, yet cleanly blacked with soot, and shin- 
ing as a shoe-ing horn. About his neck, a red 
ribband suitable to his girdle. His harp in good 
grace dependent before him ; his wrist tied to a 
green lace and hanging by. Under the gorget 
of his gown, a fair flaggon chain of pewter 
(for silver) as a Squire Minstrel of Middlesex ; 
that travelled the country this summer sea- 
son unto fairs, and worshipful men's houses 



52 m KENILWORTH. 

From his chain hung an escutcheon, with metai 
and colour, resplendent upon his breast, of the an- 
cient arms of Islington: Upon a question where- 
of, he, as one that was well schooled, and conned 
his lesson perfect without book to answer at full, 
if question were asked him v declared : " How the 
" worshipful village of Islington in Middlesex, 
" well known to be one of the most ancient and 
"best towns in England, next to London at this 
" day, for. the faithful friendship of long time 
" shown, as well at Cook's feast _Jn Alclersgate- 
" street yearly upon Holy-rood day, as also at 
"all solemn bridals in the city of London all 
" the year after ; in well serving them of fur- 
" mety for porridge, not oversodden till it be 
" too weak : of milk for their flawnes, not 
" pild nor chalked ; of cream for their custards, 
"not frothed nor thickened with flour; and of 
" butter for their pasties and pie-paste, not made 
" of well curds, nor gathered of whey in sum- 
" mer, nor mingled in winter with salt butter 
" watered or washed ; did obtain long ago, these 
" worshipful arms in colour and form as you see : 
" Which are— the arms ; a field Argent, as the 




KENILWORTH. 53 

" field and ground indeed wherein the milk-wives 
u of this worthy town, and every man else in his 
" faculty doth trade for his living. On a fess 
"tenne, three plates between three milk-tan- 
"kards firo/ier. The three milk-tankards, as 
" the proper vessels wherein the substance and 
" matter of their trade is to and fro transported. 
" The fess tenne^ which is a colour of betokening 
"doubt and suspicion; so as suspicion and good 
" heed-taking, as well as to their markets and ser- 
" vants, as to their customers that they trust 
^Miot too far, may bring unto them pla.es, that 
"is coined silver*, three, that is sutlicient and 
"plenty; lor so that number in armoury may well 
"signify. 

" For crest, upon a wad of oat-straw for a 
" wreath, a bowl of furmety. Wheat (as you 
" know) is the most precious gift of Ceres ; and 
"in the midst of it, sticking, a dozen of horn 
" spoons in a bunch, as the instrument meetest 
"to eat furmety porridge withal : a dozen, as a 
"number complete for full cheer or a banquet; 
" and of horn, as of a substance more estimable 
il than is made for a great deal; being neither 






54 KE^ILWORTH. 

" so churlish in weight, as metal ; nor so frow- 
" ard and brittle to manure, as stone ; nor yet 
" so soily in use, nor rough to the lips, as wood ; 
"but light, pliant, and smooth: that with a 
" little licking, will always be kept as clean as 
"a die. With your patience, Gentlemen," 
(quoth the Minstrel) " be it said ; were it not 
"indeed that horns be so plenty, hornware, I 
" believe, would be more set by than it is ; and 
" yet there are in our parts, those that will not 
" stick to avow, that many an honest man, botji 
" in city and country, hath had his house by 
"horning well upholden, and a daily friend 
" also at need 2 And this with your favour may 
" I further affirm; a very ingenious person was 
" he, that for dignity of the stuff, could thus by 
" spooning devise to advance the horn so near 
" to the head. With great congruity also were 
" these honvspoons put to the wheat ; as a 
" token and portion of Cornucoftia, the horn of 
« Achelous ; which the Maiades did fill with all 
" good fruits, corn, and grain; and afterwards 
" did consecrate unto abundance and plenty. 
"This scutcheon with beasts, very aptly 



KENILWGRTH, 55 

"agreeing both to the arms and to the trade of 
" the bearers ; gloriously supported. Between a 
" grey mare, (a beast meetest for carrying of milk- 
" tankards) her pannel on her back, as always rea- 
" dy for service at every feast and brid-ale at 
" need ; her tail displayed at most ease ; and her 
" filly foal, with a fallow and flaxen mane after 
" the sire. 

"In the scroll undergraven (quoth he) is 
"there a proper word, an hemistich, well squar- 
u ing with all the rest, taken out of Salerne's 
11 chapter of things that most nourish man's 
" body 5 Zac, Caseus^ infans. That is : ' good 
" milk, and young cheese.' And thus much, 
" Gentlemen, an please you (quoth he) for the 
"arms of our worshipful town :" And there- 
withal made a mannerly leg, and so held his 
peace. 

As the company paused, and the minstrel 
seemed to gape after praise for his beau fiarlt : 
and because he had rendered his lesson so well, 
says a good fellow of the company, " I am sorry 
" to see how much the poor minstrel mistakes 
"the matter; for indeed the arms are thus:— » 
G 






56 KENILWORTH. 

" Three milk-tankards proper, in a field of 
"clouted cream, three green cheeses upon a 
"shelf of cake-bread. The furmety bowl and 
"horn-spoons; cause their profit comes all by 
" horned beasts. Supported by a mare with a gal- 
" led back, and therefore still covered with a pan- 
" nel, fisking with her tail for flies, and her filly 
" foal neighing after the dam for suck. The 
" words Lac, Caseus infans, that is, a fresh cheese 
" and cream, the common cry that these milk- 
" wives make in London streets yearly betwixt 
"Easter and Whitsuntide: and this is the very 
" matter, I know it well enough :" and so ended 
his tale and sat him down again. 

Hereat every man laughed much, save the 
Minstrel; that though the fool was made privy 
all was but for sport, yet to see himself thus 
crossed with a contrary cue that he looked not 
for, would strait have given over all, and waxed 
very wayward, eager and sour : howbeit at last, 
by some entreaty and many fair words, with 
sack and sugar, we sweetened him again ; and 
afterward he became as merry as a pye. Ap- 
pearing then afresh, in his full formality, with a 



KEXILWORTH. 57 

lovely look; after three lowly courtesies, cleared 
his voice with a hem and reach, and spat out 
withal; wiped his lips with the hollow of his 
hand, for filling* his napkin ; tempered a string 
or two with his wrest, and after a little warbling 
on his harp for a prelude, came forth wuh a so 
lemn song, warranted for story out of king Ar- 
thur's acts, the 1st book and 26th chapter, where- 
of I got a copy ; and that is this, viz. 



THE MINSTREL'S SONNET. 

So it befel upon a Pentecost day, 

When King Arthur at Camelot kept court royal, 

With his comely Queen, dame Guenever the gay. 

And many bold Barons sitting in hall ; 

Ladies appareled in purple and pall, 

When Heralds in hukes berried full by, 

Largess, Largess, Chevaliers tres hardy! 

A doughty Dwarf unto the uppermost deas 
Right pertly 'gan prick, and kneeling on knee. 
With steven full stout amidst all the press, 
Said, hail, sir king, God thee save, and see 
King Ryence of North- Wales greeteth well thee, 









58 KEN1LW0RTH. 

And bids that thy beard anon thou him send, 
Or else from thy jaws he will it off rend. 



For his robe of stale, a rich scarlet mantle, 
With eleven kings 3 beards bordered about, 
He hath made late, and yet in a cantle 
Is left a place the twelfth to make out, 
Where thine must stand, be thou never so stout; 
This must be done, I tell thee no fable, 
Maugre the pow'r of all thy round table. 

When this mortal message from his mouth was 

past, 
Great was the bruit in hall and in bow'r; 
The king fumed, the queen shrieked, ladies were 

aghast, 
Princes pufPd, barons blustered, lords began to 

lour, 
Knights stamped, 'squires startled as steeds in a 

st our, 
Yeomen and pages yell'd out in the hall, 
When herewith came in Sir Kay, Seneschal. 



i( Silence, my sufFeraunce," quoth the courteous knight* 
And in that stound the charm became still; 



KENILWORTH. 59 

The Dwarf's dinner full dearly was dight, 
For wine and wassail he had at his will ; 
And when he had eaten and fed his fill, 
One hundred pieces of coined gold 
Were given the Dwarf for his message bold, 

w Say to Sir Ryence, thou Dwarf," quoth the king, 

" That for this proud message I him defy, 

And shortly with basons and pans will him ring 

Out of North Wales ; whereas he and I 

With swords, and no razors, shall utterly try 

Which of us both is the better barber :" 

And therewith he shook his sword Excaliberl 

At this the Minstrel made a pause and a 
courtesy for primus fiassus. More of the song 
there is, but I got it not. As for the matter, had 
it come to the show, 1 think the fellow would 
have handled it well enough. 

Her highness tamed at Kenilworth till the 
Wednesday after, being the 27th of this July, 
and the nineteenth inclusive of her majesty's 
coming thither ; for which seven days, perceiv- 
ing my notes so slenderly answering, I took it 
less blame to cease, and thereof to write you 

k 2 



gQ KENILWORTH, 

nothing at all, than in such matters to write fo« 
thing likel^; and so much the rather, (as I have 
well bethought me) that if I did but ruminate the 
days I have spoken of, I shall bring out yet some- 
what more meet for your appetite, (though a 
dainty tooth have ye) which I believe your tender 
stomach will brook well enough. 

Whereof part is, first, how according to her 
highness' name Elizabeth, which I hear say, out 
of the Hebrew, signifieth, among other, the se- 
venth of my God ; divers things here did so just- 
ly in nurifber square with the same. As first, her 
highness hither coming in this seventh month ; 
then presented with the seven presents of the 
seven gods; and after, with the melody of the 
seven sorted music in the dolphin, the Lake- 
Lady's gift. Then, too, consider how fully the 
gods, as it seemed, had conspired most mag- 
magnificently in abundance to bestow their influ- 
ences and gifts upon her court, there to make 
her majesty merry. *<■ 

Sage Saturn himself in person (that because 
of this lame leg could not so well stir) in chair, 
therefore to take order with the grave officers of 



KENILWORTH. g][ 

the household, holpen indeed with the good ad- 
vice of his prudent niece Pallas, that no unruly- 
body, or disquiet, disturb the noble assembly, or 
else be once so bold to enter within the Castle 
gates. Away with all rascals, captives, melan- 
cholic, wayward, fro ward conjurers and usurers, 
and to have labourers and under-workmen for 
the beautifying of any place, always at hand as 
they should be commanded. 

Jufliter sent personages of high honour 
and dignity ; barons, lords, ladies, judges, 
bishops, lawyers, and doctors ; with them, 
virtue, nobleness, equity, liberality, and com- 
passion ; due season, and fair weather ; saving 
that, at the petition of his dear sister Ceres, he 
granted a day or two of some sweet showers for 
ripening of her corn that was so well set, and to 
get forward harvest. Herewith bestowed he such 
plenty of pleasant thunder, lightning, and thun- 
derbolts, by his halting son and fire- master 
Vulcan, still fresh and fresh framed, always so 
frequent, so intellable, and of such continuance 
in the spending (as I partly told ye) consumed, 
'.hat surely he seems to be as of power incstima- 



62 KENILWORTH. 

ble ; so, in store of munition, unwasteable ; for 
all Ovid's censure that says, 

Si quoties peccant homines sua fulmina mittat 
Jupiter, exiguo tempore inermis erit. 

If Jove should shoot his thunderbolts, as oft as men of- 
fend, 
Assure you his artillery would soon be at an end S 

What a number of estates and of nobility had 
Jufiiter assembled there, guess you by this, 
that of sort worshipful there were in the court 
daily above forty, whereof the meanest of a 
thousand marks yearly revenue, and many of 
much more. This great gift beside did his 
deity confer upon her highness — to have fair and 
seasonable weather at her own appointment ; ac- 
cording whereunto her majesty so had. For 
her gracious presence, therefore, with this great 
gift endowed, Lichfield, Worcester, and Middle- 
ton, with many places more, made humble suit 
unto her highness to come; to such whereof as 
her majesty could, it came, and they season ac» 
ceptable. 



KEN1L WORTH. (33 

Ph&bus, beside his continual and most deli- 
cious music, (as I have told you) appointed he 
princes to adorn her highness' court, counsel- 
lors, heralds, and sanguine youth, pleasant and 
merry, costly garments, learned physicians, and 
no need of them. 

Juno, gold chains, ouches, jewels of great 
price and rich attire worn in much grace and 
good beseeming, without pride or emulation of 
any. 

Mars, captains of good conduct, men skilful 
in feats of arms, politic in stratagems, of good 
courage in good quarrels, valiant and wise-har- 
dy; abandoning pique-quarrels and ruffians: ap- 
pointing also pursuivants, couriers, and posts, still 
feeding her highness with news and intelligences 
from all parts. 

Venus, unto the ladies and gentlewomen, beau- 
ty, good favour, comeliness, gallant attire, danc- 
ing with comely grace, sweet voice in song and 
pleasant talk, with express commandment and 
charge unto her son, on her blessing, that he 
shoot not a shaft in the court all the while her 
highness remained at Kenilworth. 






64 KENILWORTR , 

Mercury , learned men in sciences ; poets, mer- 
chants, painters, carvers, players, engineers, de- 
vicers, and dexterity in handling of all pleasant 
attempts. 

Lu?ia, calm nights for quiet rest, and silver 
moonshine, that nightly indeed shone for most of 
her majesty's being there. 

Blind Plutusy bags of money, customers, ex- 
changers, and bankers, with store of riches in 
plate and in coin. 

Bacchus^ full cups every where, every hour of 
all kinds of wine. There was no dainty that the 
sea could yield, but Nefitune (though his reign 
at the nearest lay well nigh a hundred miles off) 
did daily send in great plenty, sweet and fresh. 
As for fresh water fish, the store of all sorts was 
abundant. 

And how bountiful Ceres in provision was, 
guess ye by this, that in little more than three 
days space, seventy-two tuns of ale and beer were 
piped up quite ; what that might, whilst with it, 
of bread beside meat, I report me to you : and yet 
the master Comptroller, master Cofferer, and 
clivers officers of the court, some honourable and 



KENILWORTH. 65 

sundry right worshipful were placed at Warwick, 
for more room in the Castle. But here was no 
ho I Master Martin, in devout drinking alway ; 
that brought lack unlooked for ; which being 
known to tne worshipful my lord's good neigh- 
bours, came there in two day's space, from sun- 
dry friends, a relief of forty tuns, till a new supply 
was got again : and then to our drinking afresh 
as fast as ever we did. 

Flora, abroad and within the house, minister- 
ed of flowers so great a quantity, of such sweet 
savour, so beamifully hueci, so large and fair 
proportion, and of such strange kinds and shapes, 
that it was great pleasure to see : and so much 
the more, as there was great store of others that 
were counterfeit, and formed of feathers by art ; 
alike glorious to the show, as were the natu- 
ral. 

Proteus, his tumbler, that could by nim- 
bleness cast himself into so many forms and fash- 
ions. 

Pan, his merry morrice-dance, with their pipe 
and tabor. 



g£ KENILWORTH, 

Bellona, her quintain knights, and proper 
bickerings of the Coventry men. 

Polyfihemus, Neptune's son and heir: (let him 
I pray, an it be but for his father's sake and for 
his good will, be allowed for a god,) with his 
bears, his bear-whelps, and ban-dogs. 

JEolus* holding up his winds, while her high- 
ness at any time took pleasure on the water, 
and staying of tempests during her abode 
here. 

Sylvanusj besides his plentiful provision of 
fowl for dainty viands, his pleasant and sweet 
singing birds: whereof I will show you more 
anon. 

Echo, her well endited dialogue. 

FaunuS) his jolly savage. 

Genius loci, his tempering of all things within 
and without, with apt time and place to pleasure 
and delight. 

Then the three Charities: [or graces") dglaia % 
with her lightsome gladness ; TZtc/fa, her flourish- 
ing freshness; Eufihrosyne, her cheerfulness of 
spiHt : and with these three in one assent, Concor- 
dia, with her amity and good agreement. That to 



RENILWORTH. (J 7 

how great effect their powers were poured out 
here among us, let it be judged by this, that by 
a multitude thus met of three or four thousand 
every day ; and divers days more, of so sundry 
degrees, professions, ages, appetites, dispositions 
and affections; such a drift of time was there 
passed, with such amity, love, pastime, agree- 
ment, and obedience where it should ; and with- 
out quarrel, jarring, grudging, or (that I could 
hear) of ill words between any. A thing, Master 
Martin, very rare and strange, and yet no more 
strange than true. 

The Parcoe, £or Fatesj as erst I should have 
said, the first night of her majesty's coming, they 
hearing and seeing so precious ado here at a 
place unlooked for, in an uplandish country so 
far within the realm s pressing into every stead 
where her highness went, whereby so duddled 
with such variety of delights, did set aside their 
housewifery, and could not for their hearts tend 
their work a whit. But after they had seen 
her majesty a-bed, got them a prying into every 
place : old hags ! as fond of novelties as young 
girls that had never seen court before 1 but 
H 



68 KEN1LW0RTH. 

neither full with gazing, nor weary with gadding s 
left off yet for that time, and at high midnight gat 
them giggling, (but not aloud) in the presence 
chamber : minding indeed, with their present di- 
ligence, to recompense their former slackness. 

So, setting themselves thus down to their work, 
u Alas !" says Atrofios^ " I have lost my sheers :" 
Lachesis laughed apace and would not draw a 
thread : tfe And think ye, dames, that I'll hold the 
distaff, while both ye sit idle ? Why, no, by my 
mother's soul," quoth Clotho. Therewith, care- 
fully lapped in fine lawn, the spindle and rock, 
that was dizened with pure purple silk, laid they 
safely up together ; that of her majesty's distaff, 
for eighteen days, there was not a thread spun, I 
assure you. The two sisters after that (I heard 
say) began their work again, that long may they 
continue : but Atrofios heard no tiding of her 
sheers, and not a man that moaned her loss. She 
Is not beloved surely ; for this can I tell you, that 
whether it be for hate to the hag, or love to her 
highness, or else for both, every man prays God 
she may never find them for that work ; and so 
pray I daily and duly with the devoutest. 



KENILWOUTH. 69 

Thus partly you perceive now, how greatly 
ihe gods can do for mortals, and how much al- 
ways they love where they like : that what a 
gentle Jove was this, thus courteously to con- 
trive here such a train of gods ? Nay then ra- 
ther, Master Martin^ to come out of our poeti- 
calities, and to talk on more serious terms, what 
a magnificent lord may we justly account him, 
that could so highly cast order for such a 
Jufiiter and all his gods beside : that none with 
his influence, good property, or present, were 
wanting ; but always ready at hand, in such or- 
der and abundance for the honouring and de- 
light of so high a prince, our most gracious 
queen and sovereign. A prince (I say) so sin- 
gular in pre-eminence, and worthiness above all 
other princes and dignities of our time : though 
I make no comparison to years past, to him that 
in this point, either of ignorance — (if any such 
can be,) or else of malevolence, would make any 
doubt: sit liber Judex (as they say;) let him 
look on the matter, and answer himself, he has 
not far to travel, 



70 KENIL WORTH. 

As for the amplitude of his lordship's mind, al- 
beit that I, poor soul, can in conceit no more at* 
tain unto, than judge of a gem whereof I have no 
skill : yea, though daily worn and resplendent in 
mifte eye ; yet some of the virtues and proper- 
ties thereof, in quantity, or quality, so apparent 
as cannot be hidden, but seen of all men, might 
I be the bolder to report here unto you ; but as 
for the value, your jewellers by their carats let 
them cast, an they can. 

And first, who that considers unto the stately 
seatof Kenilworth Castle, the rare beauty of build- 
ing that his honour hath advanced, all of the 
hard quarry-stone ; every room so spacious, so 
well belighted, and so high roofed within : so 
seemly to sight by due proportion without ; In 
day-time on every side so glittering by glass ; 
at nights, by continual brightness of candle, fire, 
and torch-light, transparent thro' the lightsome 
windows, as it were the Egyptian Pharos relu- 
eent unto all the Alexandrian coast; or else? 
(to talk merrily with my merry friend,) thus ra- 
diant, as though Phesbus for his ease would rest 
him ia the Castle, and not every night so to travel 



tlLWORTH. 7X 

down unto the Antipodes. Here, too, so fully 
furnished of rich apparel and utensils apted in all 
points to the best. 

Unto this, his honour's exquisite appoint- 
ment of a beautiful garden, an acre or more in 
quantity, that lieth on the north there : Wherein 
hard all along by the Castle wail, is reared a 
pleasant terrace, ten feet high, and twelve feet 
broad, even under foot, and fresh of fine grass ; 
as is also the side thereof towards the garden : la 
which, by sundry equal distances, with obelisks, 
and spheres, and white bears, all of stone upon 
their curious bases, by goodly show were set; to 
these, two fine arbours redolent by sweet trees 
and flowers, at each end one, the garden plot 
under that, with fair alleys, green by grass, even 
voided from the borders on both sides, and some 
(for change) with sand, not light, or too soft, or 
soiiy by dust, but smooth and firm, pleasant to 
walk on, as a sea-shore when the water is avail- 
ed. Then, much gracified by due proportion of 
four even quarters : in the midst of each, upon a 
3 of two feet square, and high, seemly bor- 
dered of itself, a square pilaster rising pyranr 



72 KENILWORTH. 

cally fifteen feet high. Symmetrically pierced 
through from a foot beneath to two feet of the 
top : whereupon, for a capital, an orb of ten 
Inches thick ; every one of these, from its base, 
from the ground to the top, of one whole piece ; 
hewn out of hard porphyry, and with great art 
and heed (think me) thither conveyed and there 
erected. Where, further also, by great cast 
and cost, the sweetness of savour on all sides, 
made so respirant from the redolent plants and 
fragrant herbs and flowers, in form, colour^ 
and quantity so deliciously variant ; and fruit- 
trees bedecked with apples, pears, and ripe 
cherries. 

And unto these, in the midst, against the 
terrace : a square cage, sumptuous and beautiful, 
joined hard to the north wall, (that on that side 
guards the garden, as the garden the Castle) of 
a rare form and excellency was raised : in height 
twenty feet, thirty long, and fourteen broad. 
From the ground strong and close, reared breast- 
high, whereat a framing of a fair moulding was 
couched all about : from that upward, four great 
windows in front, and two at each end, every 



KEMLWORTH. 73 

one five feet wide, as many more even above 
them, divided on all parts by a transom and 
architrave, so likewise ranging about the cage* 
Each window arched at the top, and parted from 
the other at even distances by flat fair bolted 
columns, all in form and beauty alike, these sup- 
ported a comely cornice couched all along upon 
the bole square. Which with a wire net, finely 
knit, of meshes six square, an inch wide, (as it 
were for a flat roof) and likewise the space of ev- 
ery window with great cunning and comeliness, 
even and tight was all over-strained. Under the 
cornice again, every part beautified with great 
diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and saphires : point- 
ed, tabled, rock and round, and garnish'd with 
gold ; by skilful head and hand, and by toil and 
pencil so lively expressed, as it might be great 
marvel and pleasure to consider how near excellen- 
cy of art could approach unto perfection of nature. 
Bear with me, good countryman, though 
things be not showed here as well as I would, or 
as well as they should. For indeed I can better 
imagine and conceive that which I see, than well 
utter, or duly declare it. Holes were there also 






74 KENILWORTH. 

and caverns in orderly distances and fashion, void- 
ed into the wall, as well for heat, for coolness, for 
roost at nights and refuge in weather, as also for 
breeding when time is. More; fair, even, and 
fresh holly trees for perching and pruning, set 
within, toward each end one. 

Here, too, their diversity of meats, their fine 
several vessels for their water and sundry grains ; 
and a man skilful and diligent to look to them and 
tend them. 

But, shall I tell you, of the silver sounded lute, 
without the sweet touch of hand ; the glorious 
golden cup, without the fresh fragrant wine ; or 
the rich ring with gem, without the fair featured 
finger ; is nothing, indeed, in his proper grace and 
use : even so his honour accounted of this mansion 
^tiil he had placed there tenants according. 
Had it, therefore, replenished with lively birds, 
English, French, Spanish, Canarian, and I am 
deceived if I saw not some African. Whereoy, 
whether it became more delightsome in change of 
tunes, and harmony to the ear; or else indiffer- 
ence of colours, kinds, and propc rlie- to the eye 2 j 
111 tell you if I can> wh&n I oetter betnought me 



KENILWORTH. 75 

One day, Master Martin, as the garden door 
was open, and her highness hunting, by licence 
of my good friend Adrian, I came in at a beckon, 
but would scant out with a thrust : for sure I was 
loath so soon to depart. Well may this, Master 
Martin, be somewhat to magnitude of mind, but 
more thereof as ye shall know, more cause ye 
shall have so to think : hear out what I tell you, 
and tell me when we meet. 

In the centre, as it were, of this goodly gar- 
den, was there placed a very fair fountain, cast 
into an eight-square, reared four feet high ; 
from the midst whereof, a column upright, 
in shape of two Athlants, joined together a 
back half; the one looking east, the other 
west, with their hands upholding a fair-formed 
bowl of three feet over ; from whence sun- 
dry fine pipes did lively distil continual streams 
into the reservoir of the fountain, maintained 
still two feet deep by the same fresh falling 
water : wherein pleasantly playing <o and fro, 
and round about, carp, tench, bream, and for 
variety, perch and eel fish, fair-liking all, and 
large ; In the top, the ragged staff 5 which, with 



76 KENILWORTH. 

the bowl, thepillar, and eight sides beneath, were 
all hewn out of rich and hard white marble. On 
one side, JVefitunc with his tridentalfuskin tri- 
umphing in his throne, trailed into the deep by 
his marine horses. On another, Thetis in her 
chariot drawn by her dolphins. Then Triton by 
his fishes. Here Proteus herding his sea-bulls. 
There Doris and her daughters solacing on sea 
and sands. The waves surging with froth and 
foam, intermingled in place, with whales, whirl- 
pools, sturgeons, tunneys, conches, and wealks, 
ail engraven by exquisite device and skill, so as 
I may think this not much inferior unto Phcebus* 
gates, which Ovid says, and peradventure a pat- 
tern to this, that Vulcan himself did cut : where- 
of such was the excellency of art, that the work 
in value surmounted the stuff, and yet were the 
gates all of clean massy silver. 

Here were things, ye see, might inflame any 
mind to long after looking : but whoso was 
found so hot in desire, with the wrest of a cock 
was sure of a cooler : water spirting upward with 
such vehemency, as they should, by and by, be 
moistened from top to toe ; the he's to som§ 



KBXILWORTH. 77 

taghing,but the she's to more sport; this some- 
time was occupied to very good pastime. 

A garden then so appointed, as wherein 
aloft upon sweet shadowed walk of terrace, in 
heat of summer, to feel the pleasant whisking 
wind above, or delectable coolness of the fount- 
ain-spring beneath ; to taste of delicious straw- 
berries, cherries, and other fruits, even from 
their stalks; to smell such fragrancy of sweet 
odours, breathing from the plants, herbs, and 
flowers ; to hear such natural melodious music 
and tunes of birds ; to have in eye for mirth 
sometime these underspvinging streams ; then, 
the woods, the waters (for both pool and chase 
were hard at hand in sight) the deer, the people 
(that out of the east arbour in the base court 5 
also at hand in view) the fruit-trees, the plants, 
the herbs, the flowers, the change in colours, the 
birds flittering, the fountain streaming, the fish 
swimming, all in such delectable variety, order ? 
and dignity ; whereby, at one moment, in one 
place, at hand, without travel, to have so full 
fruition of so many of God's blessings, by entire 
delight unto all senses (if all can take) at once s 



78 KENILWORTH, 

for etymon of the word worthy to be called Pa* 
radise : and though not so goodly as Paradise, 
for want of the fair rivers, yet better a great deal 
by the lack of so unhappy a tree. Argument 
most certain of a right noble mind, that in this 
sort could have thus all contrived. 

But, Master Martin, yet one windlass must I 
fetch, to make you one more fair course, an I 
can ; and cause I speak of one, let me tell you 
a little of the dignity of one-hood ; wherein al- 
ways all high deity, all sovereignty, pre-emin* 
ence, principality, and concord, without possi- 
bility of disagreeament, is contained: As, one 
God, one Saviour, one Faith, one Prince, one 
Sun, one Phoenix ; and as one of great wisdom 
saith, one heart, one way. Where one-hood 
reigns, there quiet bears rule, and discord flies 
apace. Three again may signify company, a 
meeting, a multitude, plurality : so as all tales 
and numberings from two unto three, and so up- 
ward, may well be counted numbers, 'till they 
mount unto infinity, or else to confusion, which 
thing the sum of two can never admit ; nor it- 
self can well be counted a number, but rather a 



KENILWORTH. 79 

friendly conjunction of two ones ; that, keeping 
in a sincerity of accord, may purport unto us 
charity to each other; mutual love, agreement 
and integrity of friendship without dissimulation. 
As is in these : the two Testaments ; the two Ta- 
bles of the Law ; the two great Lights, Duo lumU 
naria magna, the sun and moon. And, but mark 
a little, I pray, and see how of all things in the 
world, our tongues in talk do always so readily 
trip upon two's pairs, and couples ; sometimes 
as of things in equality, sometime of difference, 
sometime of contraries, or for comparison, but 
chiefly, for the most part, of things that between 
themselves do well agree, and are fast linked in 
amity : As, first, for pastimes, hounds and 
hawks ; deer red and fallow ; hare and fox ; par- 
tridge and pheasant ; fish and fowl ; carp and 
tench. For wars, spear and shield; horse and 
harness ; sword and buckler. For sustenance, 
•wheat and barley ; pease and beans ; meat and 
drink ; bread and meat ; beer and ale ; apples and 
pears. 

But lest by such qualities I draw you too 
far ; let us here stay, and come nearer home* 
I 



80 KENILWORTH. 

See what a sort of friendly binites we ourselves 
do consist and stand upon : First, our two feet, 
two legs, two knees, so upward ; and above, 
two shoulders, two arms, and two hands. But 
chiefly our principal two ; that is, body and 
soul : Then in the head, where all our senses 
meet, and almost all in two's ; two nostrils, 
two ears, and two eyes; So are we of friendly 
two's from top to toe. Well, to this number of 
binites, take ye one more for an upshot, and here 
an end. 

Two dials nigh unto the battlements, are set 
aloft upon two of the sides of Caesar's Tower ; 
one east, the other south ; for so stand they best 
to show the hours to the town and country : both 
fair, large, and rich, blue bice for ground, apd 
gold for letters, whereby they glitter conspi- 
cuous a great way off. The clock-bell, that is 
good and shrill, was commanded to silence at 
first, and indeed, sung not a note all the while 
her highness was there ; the clock stood also still 
withal. But mark now, whether were it by 
chance, by constellation of stars, or by fatal 
appointment (if fates and stars do deal with 



KENILWORTH. 3j 

dials) thus was it indeed. The hands of both 
the tables stood firm and fast, always pointing 
at two o'clock. Which thing beholding by hap 
at fi r st, but after seriously marking in deed, en- 
printed into me a deep sign and argument cer- 
tain : that this thing, among the rest, was for full 
significance of his lordship's honourable, frank* 
friendly, and noble heart towards all estates; 
which, whether they come to stay and take cheer, 
or strait to return ; to see, or to be seen ; come 
they for duty to her majesty, or love to his 
lordship, or for both : come they early or late : 
for his lordship's part, they come always all at 
two o'clock, e'en jump at two o'clock: that is 
to say, in good heart, good acceptance, in amity, 
and friendly welcome : who saw else that I saw; 
in right must say as I say, For so many things 
beside, Master Hum/i/irey, were herein so conso- 
nant unto my construction, that this pointing of 
the clock (to myself) I took in amity, as an ora- 
cle certain. And here is my windlass like your 
course, as please you* 

But now, Sir, to come to an end, For 
receiving of her highness, and entertainment of 



32 . KBNILWORTH. 

all the other estates. Since of delicates, that 
any way might serve or delight ; as of wine, 
spice, dainty viands, pUte, music, ornaments of 
house, rich arras an.l mlk (to say nothing ot* the 
meaner things,) the mass by provision was heaped 
so huge, which the bounty in spending did after 
bewray. The conceit so deep in casting the 
.plat at first : such a wisdom and cunning in ac- 
quiring things so rich, so rare, and in such abun- 
dance : by so immense and profuse a charge of 
expence, which, by so honourable service, and 
exquisite order, courtesy of officers, and human- 
ity of all, were after so bountifully bestowed and 
spent ; what may this express what may this 
set out unto us, but only a magnific mind, a sin- 
gular wisdom, a princely purse, and an heroical 
heart ? If it were my theme, Master Martin^ to 
speak of his lordship's great honour and magni- 
ficence, though it be not in me to say sufficient- 
ly, as bad a pen-clerk as I am, yet could I spy 
a great deal more. 

But being here now in magnificence, and mat- 
ters of greatness, it falls well to mind the great* 
ness of his honour's tent, that for her majesty's 



KENILWORTII. 

dining was pight at Long Ichington, the clay her 
highness came to Kenilworth Castle. A taber- 
nacle indeed for number and shift of large and 
goodly rooms, for fair and easy offices both in- 
ward and outward, all so likesome in order and 
eye-sight : that justly for dignity may be com- 
parable with a beautiful palace ; and for great- 
ness and quantity, with a proper town, or rather 
a citadel. But to be short, lest I keep you too 
long from the Royal Exchange now, and to cause 
you conceive much matter in fewest words. The 
iron bedstead of Og,the king of Basan (you know) 
was four yards and a half long, and two yards 
wide, whereby ye consider a giant of a great pro- 
portion was he i This tent had seven cart-load 
of pins pertaining to it : Now for the greatness,, 
guess as you can. 

And great as it was (to marshal our matters 
of greatness together) not'forgetting a wether at 
Grafton, brought to the court, that for body and 
wool was exceeding great; the measure I took 
not : let me show you with what great marvel 
a great child of Leicestershire, at this Lon 
Ichington, by the parents was presented : great, 



84 KENILWORTH, 

I say, of limbs and proportion, of four feet and 
four inches high ? and else lanuginous as a lad of 
eighteen years : being indeed avowed to be but 
six years old, nothing more bewraying his age 
than his wit, that was, as for those years, simple 
and childish. 

As for unto his lordship, having with such 
greatness of honourable modesty and benignity 
so passed for til, as laud em sine invidia ei amicos 
fiarit. By greatness of well-doing, won with all 
sorts to be in such reverence as de quo mentiri 
fama veretur. In sincerity of friendship so great* 
as no man more devoutly worships Mud amicitia: 
sanctum et venerabile nomen. So great in liberali- 
ty, as hath no way to heap up the mass of his 
treasure, but only by liberal giving and bounte- 
ous bestowing his treasure ; following (as it 
seems) that saw of martial, that saith, 

Extra fortunam est, quicquid donatur amicis ; 
Quas dederis, solas Semper habebis opes< 

Out of all hazard dost thou set that to thy friends thou 

gives! : 
A surer treasure canst thou not have ever while thou 

Uvest. 



KENILWORTH, 35 

What may these greatnesses bode, but only as 
great honour, fame, and renown for these parts 
here away, as ever was unto these two noble 
greats, the Macedonian Alexander, in Emathia 
or Greece, or to Roman Charles in Germany or 
Italy ? Which, were it in me any way to set 
out, no man of all men by God, Master Martin^ 
had ever more cause, and that hereby consider 
you. 

It pleased his honour to bear me good will at 
first, and so to continue. To have given me 
apparel even from his back, to get me allowance 
in the siable, to advance me unto this worshipful 
office so near the most honourable council, to 
help, me in my licence of beans (though indeed 
I do not so much use it, for, I thank God, I 
need not) to permit my good father to serve the 
stable. Whereby I go now in my silks, that 
else might ruffle in my cut canvass % I ride now 
on horseback, that else many times might man- 
ege it on foot: am known to their honours^ 
and taken forth with the best, that else might be 
bidden to stand back myself. My good lather a 
good relief, that he fares much the better by, 
and none of these for my desert, either at first or 



gg KENILWORTH. 

since, God knows. What say you, my good 
friend Humphrey, should I not for ever honour 
and extol him all the ways I can ? Yes, by your 
leave, while God lends me power to utter my 
mind. And, having as good cause of his honour, 
as Virgil had of Augustus Casar, will I poet it a 
little with Virgil, and say, 

Namque erit Ille mini semper Deus, illius aram 
Saepe tener nostris ab ovilibus imbuet agnus. 

For he shall be a God to me, 'till death my life 

consumes, 
His altars will I sacrifice with incense and perfumes, 

A singular patron of humanity may he be 
well unto us toward all degrees i of honour 
toward high estates, and chiefly whereby we 
may learn in what dignity, worship, and rever- 
ence her highness is to be esteemed, honoured^ 
and received, that was never indeed more con- 
dignly done than here ; so as neither by the 
builders at first, nor by the edict of pacificatioa 
after, was ever Kenilworth more ennobled, thaa 
fay this his lordship's receiving her highness here 
now* 



KENILWORTH. 87 

But, Jesu, Jesu, whither am I drawn now? But 
talk I of my lord once, even thus it fares with 
me : I forget all my friends, and myself too. And 
yet you, being a mercer, a merchant, as I am, my 
countryman born, and my good friend withal, 
whereby I know you are compassioned with me ; 
methought it my pan somewhat to impart unto 
you how it is here wit u me, and how I lead my 
Jife, which indeed is this : 

A mornings I rise ordinarily at seven o'clock : 
then ready, I go into the chapel; soon after 
eight, I get me commonly into my lord's cham- 
ber, or into my lord's presidents. There at the 
cupboard, after I have eaten the manchet serv- 
ed over night for livery, (for I dare be as bold, 
I promise you, as any of my friends the ser- 
vants there ; and indeed I could have fresh, if 
I would tarry ; but I am of wont jolly and dry 
a mornings) : I drink me up a good bowl ol ale : 
when in a sweet pot it is defecated by all night's 
standing, the drink is the better, take that of 
me : and a morsel in a morning, with a sound 
draught, is very wholesome and good for the 
eyesight : Then I am as fresh all the forenoon 



gg KENILWORTH. 

after, as had I eaten a whole piece of beef. Now, 
sir, if the council sit, I am at hand ; wait at an 
inch, I warrant you: If any make babbling, 
"Peace," say I, " wot ye where ye are?" If I 
take a listener, or a pryer in at the chinks or at 
the lock-hole, I am by and by in the bones of 
him : but now they keep good order, they know 
me well enough : If he be a friend, or such a one 
as I like, I make him sit down by me on a form 
or a chest ; let the rest walk, in God's name. 

And here doth my languages now and then 
stand me in good stead, my French, my Spanish, 
my Dutch, and my Latin : sometime among 
ambassadors' men, if their masters be within 
the council : sometime with the ambassador 
himself, if he bid call his lacquey, or ask me 
what's o'clock; and I warrant you I answer him 
roundly, that they marvel to see such a fellow 
there : then laugh I, and say nothing. Dinner 
and supper I have twenty places to go to, and 
heartily prayed to : Sometimes I get to Master 
Pinner; by my faith a worshipful gentleman, 
and as careful for his charge as any her high- 
ness hath. There find I always good store of 



KRNILWORTH. g9 

very good viands; we eat, and be merry, thank 
God and the queen. Himself in feeding very 
temperate and moderate as you shall see any ; 
and yet, by your leave, of a dish, as a cold 
pigeon or so, that hath come to him at meat 
more than he looked for, I have seen him even 
so by and by surfeit, as he hath plucked off his 
napkin, wiped his knife, and eat not a morsel 
more ; like enough to stick in his stomach 
two days after : (some hard message from the 
higher officers; perceive ye me? Upon search, 
his faithful dealing and diligence had found him 
faultless. 

In afternoons and at nights, sometime am I 
with the right worshipful Sir George Howard, 
as good a gentleman as any that lives. And 
sometime, at my good Lady Sidney's chamber, 
a noble- woman that I am as much bound unto, 
as any poor man may be unto so gracious a 
lady ; and sometime in some other place. But 
always among the gentlewomen by my good will; 
(O, you know that comes always of a gentle 
spirit :) And when I see company according, 
then can I be as lively too : Sometimes I ioot i: 



§0 KENILWORTH. 

with dancing: now with my gittern, or else 
wuh my cittern, then at the virginals: You 
know nothing comes amiss tome : Then carol I 
up a song withal; that by and by they come 
flocking about me like bees to honey ; And ever 
they cry, " Another, good JLaneham y another 1" 
Shall I tell you ? when I see Mistress 
(Ah ! see a mad knave ; I had almost told all,!) 
that she gives once but an eye, or an ear ; 
why then, man, am I blest ; my grace, my cou- 
rage, my cunning is doubled; She says, sorne- 
ti; :-u She likes it ;" and then I like it much 
the hetier ; it doth me good to hear how well I 
can do. And to say truth ; what with mine eye, 
as I can amorously gloit it, with my Spanish 
sospires* my French heighes, mine Italian dul- 
cets, my Dutch hoves, my double releas, my 
high reaches, my fine feigning, my deep diapason 
my wanton warbles, my running, my timing, 
my tuning, and my twinkling, I can gracify the 
matters as well as the proudest of them, and 
was yet never stained, I thank God : By my 
troth, countryman, it is sometimes high midnight, 
ere I can get from them. And thus have I 



KEN1LW0RTH. (J\ 

told you most of my trade, all the live long day : 
what will you more, God save the queen and my 
lord. I am well I thank you, 

Herewith meaned I fully to bid ye fareweil 3 
had not this doubt come to my mind, that here 
remains a doubt in you, which I ought (me- 
thought) in any wise to clear. Which is, ye 
marvel perchance to see me so bookish. Let 
me tell you in few words : I went to school, for- 
sooth, both at Paul's and also at St. Anthony's z 
In the filth form, passed iEsop's Fables, I wis, 
read Terence vos istec. intra auferte^ and began 
with my Virgil Tityre tn fiatulcs. I conned my 
rules, could construe and parse with the best of 
them : since that, as partly you know, have I trad° 
ed the feat of merchandize in sundry countries* 
and so got me languages ; wnich do so little hin° 
der my Latin, as I, thank God, have much en« 
creased it. I have leisure sometimes, when I 
tend not upon the council ; whereby, now look 
I on one book, now on another. Stories I de- 
light in : the more ancient and rare, the more 
likesome to me. If I told you, I liked William 
of Malmesbury so well, because of his diligence 

Fs 



92 KBNILWORTH. 

and antiquity, perchance you would construe it 
because I love malmsey so well : But i 5 faith it 
is not so : for sipt I no more sack and sugar, 
(and yet never but with company) than I do 
malmsey, I should not blush so much adays as I 
do : you know my mind. 

Weil now, thus fare ye heartily well i 5 faith : 
If with wishing it could have been, ye had had a 
buck or two this summer ; but we shall come 
nearer shortly, and then shall we merrily meet, 
an grace of God. In the mean time commend 
me I beseech you, unto my good friends, almost 
most of them your neighbours z Master Alder- 
man Pullison^ a special friend of mine : And 
in any wise to my good old friend Master Smith, 
customer, by that same token, — — " Set my 
horse up to the rack, and then let's have a cup 
of sack." He knows the token well enough, 
and will laugh, I hold you a groat. To Master 
Thorogood : and to my merry companion (a 



* Afterwards sir Thomas Pullison, and lord Mayor 
In 1584. 



KENILWORTH. 93 

Mercer, you know, as we be) Master Denman % 
Mia fratello in Christ o : He is wont to summon 
me by the name of " Ro. La. of the county of 
Nosingham Gentleman :" A good companion, 
i* faith. Well, once again fare ye heartily well. 
From the court. At the city of Worcester, the 
twentieth of August, 1575. 

Your countryman, companion, and friend as* 
suredly : Mercer, Merchant-adventurer, and 
clerk of the council chamber-door, and also 
keeper of the same : 
El Prencijie Negro. Par me R* L> Gent* Mercer 

DE MAJESTATE REGIA 

Benigno. 

Cedant arma togse, concedat laurea linguae. 

Jactanter Cicero, at justius illud habe : 
Cedant arma togs, vigil et toga cedit honor]. 

Omnia concedant imperioque suo. 

Deo Opt. Max, Gratis. 



GLOSSAMAii 



EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

Page 4.— Jl flight shoot broad. 
This passage may have two significations : One 
derived from the same expression which Laneham uses 
when speaking of the fire-works, in which place it is un- 
derstood to mean a flying shot, or one discharged from a 
mortar. — The other method of understanding the words 
is, supposing that a flight signified a small arrow ; in. 
contradistinction to shafts, quarrels, bolts, and piles. 
The latter of these is, however, the most probable, as the 
pool itself was. not more than three hundred feet in 
breadth. 

Ibid.— by the brajs } bfc. 
The Park at Kenilworth was separated from the Castle 
on the south side by a part of the pool, but was, as the 
text states, connected as it were with the building by the 
sloping banks next the water. The word Bra, Brae, or 
Bray, in the northern counties and Scotland is used for 
the acclivity of a hill, and the brink or bank of a river.— • 
Vide Grose and Jamieson. 

Page Q.—^Penda's presumption. 
In the year 642, Penda, King of Mercia, invaded the 
dominions of Oswald, King of Northumberland ; who 
was slain after a fierce battle at Maserfield. Burthred 
or Buthred, who is mentioned in the context, was the 
last King of Mercia ; whose kingdom was invaded in 
874, by the West-Saxons, under Alfred. Thus overpotf - 
cred, he fled, to Rome, where he died, 



95 



Page 6. — JButhred's Hascardy. 
The latter of these words, signifies a dispersion or scat- 
tering, the cause of which, has been related in the pre- 
ceding note. Hascardy is derived from the Saxon Af- 
cadiariy which is of the same interpretation,— Vide Som- 
ner. 

Page 7. — Althamerus writes. 

Andrew Althamer, a Lutheran minister of Nurem- 
berg, who lived about 1560 ; he wrote several controver- 
sial works, and some valuable notes on Tacitus, from 
which the passage in the text is taken. — Vide Diction- 
aire Universel. 

The termination Worth, which is mentioned in the 
text to signify land situate by water, is more properly- 
derived from the Saxon Pond, a court or farm ; and hence 
the place was originally denominated Kenelm's Worth, 
or the Court of Kenelm , 

Ibid.— Sybred. 
A word signifying kindred, from the Saxon Sibpeden 
— Consanguinity. — Vide Lye. 

Page 8. — Long Idling ton. 
Another copy erroneously states this town to be only 
three miles distant from Kenilworth. In Dr. Thomas's 
edition of Dugdale's Warwickshire, Lond. 1730, Vol. 1. 
p. 345, it is related that at the period mentioned in 
the text, " the Earl of Leicester gave the queen a glo- 
rious entertainment here, in her passage to Kenilworth 
Castle, erecting a tent of extraordinary largeness for that 
purpose, the pins belonging whereto amounted to seven 
carl-loads ; by which the magnificence thereof may be 
guessed at." Laneham also subsequently notices this 
circumstance, when speaking of the preparations for the 
queen's reception at Kenilworth. Vide p. 83, ante, 

Ibid. — in a pall of white silk. 
A long and large upper mantle was denominated a 
pall, from the Latin pallium, ovpalla, a cloak. The great 
mantle worn by the- Knights of the Garter, is bv ancient 
writers called pallium. 

K 2 



96 

Ibid. — into every stead. 
That is to say, every where, or into every place ; the 
word stead is from the Saxon Stede> a room or place, — 
Vide Somner. 

Page 10— The Lady of the Lake. 
The Lady of the Lake was a distinguished character in 
the celebrated romance called "La Morte d' Arthur," 
and in the xxvth chapter of the 1st book of that Work 
she is thus introduced. " Soo they rode tyl they came 
to a lake the whiche was afayr water, and brood. And in 
the myddes of the lake, Arthur was ware of an arme 
clothed in white samyte, [i. e. satin] that held a fayr 
swerd in that hand, loo said Merlin, yonder is that swerd 
that I spak of* with that they sawe a damoisel going upon 
the lake, what damoisel is that I said Arthur ; that is the 
lady of the lake, said Merlin." From this lady it was 
that King Arthur received his sword Excalibor, which 
f ome have explained to signify cut steel, and others have 
supposed to be a Hebrew term, meaning more precious 
than iron or steel. At the conclusion of the romance 
this famous sword is again cast into the lake, when the 
same hand receives it; the dying Arthur is also taken 
into a barge wherein were many "fayr ladyes, and 
amonge hem al was a quene, and al they had blacke 
hoodes, and al they wepte and shryked when they sawe 
Kyng Arthur." Such was that Sovereign's departure 
from this world, but yet he is not supposed to be dead 
bu* orirv sleeping on the magic lap of the Lidy of the 
i " by the wylie of our Lord Jhesu in another place, 
and men say that he shal come ageyn and he shal Wynne 
the holy crosse."— Vide "La Morte d' Arthur," Caxton's 
Edit. 1485. 

'*• Page 11.— S halms Cornets, ifc. 
The word shalm or shawn is aerived from the German 
sebalme, a musical instrument ; it however strictly sig- 
nifies a psaltery or species of harp. The cornet is a horn, 
as its name signifies in several languages.— Vide Bailey* 
Buy, &c* 



97 



Page 14 — Pight. 
fhifl word is the ancient preterite and participle pas* 
of the verb to pitch. It signifies, generally, any thing; 
placed, fixed, pitched, or determined. Vide Bailey. 

Ibid.— Recorders. 
These were wind-instruments somewhat resembling; 
flutes, or rather clarionets ; for by the description which 
is given of one by Lord Bacon, in the Second Century 
of his "Sylva Sylvarum," at the 159th and 161st experi- 
ments, it may be ascertained that the instrument was 
blown into at one end. It appears from the same au- 
thority, that it consisted of a tube with stops or wind- 
holes, and a fipple, or mouth-piece ; the lower end was 
open like the flageolets of the present time. The word 
fipple, used by Bacon for mouth-piece, literally signifies 
a stopper, from the Latin Jibuti : , whence it may be ar- 
gued that the upper end or' the Recorder terminated in 
a cap, from which issued the pipe that conveyed the 
breath throughout the whole instrument. Vide Mallet's 
Bacon, vol. 1, and Bailey. 

Page 15. — Ceruleous. 
Azure-blue, or sky-colour, from the Latin ceruteus. 
Anciently, blue dresses were worn by all servants. Vide 
Strutt. 

Page 18.— Takes toil. 
A term used in hunting, when a deer runs into the 
water. Vide Phillips. 

J bid — To the spoit of a Karvelt. 
A Carvel, or Caravel, was a species of light round ves- 
sel, with a square stern, rigged and fitted out like a gal- 
ley, and of about 140 lens burthen. Such ships were 
formerly much used by the Portuguese, and were es- 
teemed the best sailers on the seas. Vide Phillips. 

Ibid; — The yearning of the Hounds. 
A hunting expression, used to signify the barking oi 
beagles at their prey. Vide Bailey. 



98 



Page 23.— A great sort of Ban-dogs. 
Bewick describes the Ban-dog as being a variety "of 
the mastiff, but lighter, smaller, and more vigilant ; al- 
though at the same time not so powerful. The nose is 
also less, and possesses somewhat of the hound's scent; 
the hair is rough, and of a yellowish grey colour, mark- 
ed with shades of black. The bite of a Ban-dog is keen., 
and considered dangerous ; and its attack is usually made 
upon the flank. Dogs of this kind are now rarely to be 
met with. 

Page 25 — The Bear with his pink eyes. 
There is a singular coincidence between Laneham's 
description of a bear-fight, and that given in the Romance 
of" Kenil worth," where the Earl of Sussex presents a pe- 
tition from Orson Pinnit, Keeper of the Royal Bears, 
against Shaksp eare and the players. It is evident that 
the author of " Kenilworth" had the passage in his mind 
and as the reader may also like to compare the two pas- 
sages, an extract from the romance is here inserted : 
" There you may see the bear lying at guard with his 
red pinky eyes, watching the onset of the mastiff* like a 
wily captain, who maintains his defence, that an assailant 
may be tempted to venture within his danger." Vide 
Kenilworth, vol. ii. p. 129. 

Page 2&.—Gyringe. 
An old English noun formed of the Latin gyrus, a cir- 
cuit or compass ; a career or circle. 

Page 27. — Diodorus Shufas, an ancient Greek writer. 

The reference made m ihe text to the ruird book of 
this author is erroneous ; the passage alluded to, being 
in the fourth chapter of the second book, the which, as 
it tends more perfectly to illustrate Laneham's remarks, 
is here extracted from Booth's translation of Diodorus 
Siculus, page 82. "The inhabitants are much unlike to 
us in these parts of the world, both as to their bodies 
and their way of living ; but among themselves, they 
are for form and shape like one to another, and in stature 



99 



above four cubits high (six feet.) They can bend and 
turn their ladies like unto nerves; and as the nervous 
parts, after motion ended, return to their former state 
and position, so do their bones. Their bodies are very 
tender;*but their nerves far stronger than ours, for what- 
ever they grasp in their hands, none are able to wrest 
out of their fingers. They have not the least hair on any 
part of their bodies, but upon their heads, eyebrows, 
eyelids, and chins ; .all other parts are so smooth, that 
not the least down appears any where. They are very 
comely and well-shaped, but the holes of their ears are 
much wider than ours, and have something like little 
tongues growing out of them. Their tongues have some- 
thing in them singular and remarkable, the effect both of 
nature and art ; for they have partly a double tongue, 
naturally a little divided, but cut farther inwards by art, 
so that it forms two, as far as to the very root, and there- 
fore there's great variety of speech among them, and 
they not only imitate man's voice in articulate speaking, 
but the various chatterings of birds, and even all sorts of 
notes, as they please ; and that which is more wonder- 
ful than all, is, that they can speak perfectly to two men 
at once, both in answering to what is said, and aptly 
carrying on a continued discourse relating to subject- 
matter in hand ; so that with one part of their tongue 
they speak to one, and with the other part to the other*" 
Diodorus, surnamed Siculus, because he was born at 
Argyra in Sicily, flourished about 44 years before the 
Christian era. 

Page %■. — Conradus Gesnerus. 
An eminent physician, naturalist, and scholar of the 
16th century, who was born at Zurich 1516. He was 
made Professor of Greek at Lausanne, and at Basil he 
took the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After having 
published many valuable works in Botanv, Medicine, 
Natural History, and Philology, he died of the plague in 
the year 1565, aged forty-nine. His " Mithridates," 
mentioned in the text, is a work on the difference of 
tongues throughout the world. 



100 



Page 28. — A comely Quintain. 
In the Glossary to Bishop Kennel's Fagpchial Anti- 
quities, it is stated that the Quintain was a customary 
sport at weddings, ft consisted of an upright piece with 
a cross piece, one end of which is broad, and pierced 
full of holes, and to the other is appended a bag of sand, 
which swings round upon the slightest blow.— " The 
pastime was," says Hasted," for the youth on horseback 
to run at it as fast as possible, and hit the broad part in 
his career with much force. He that by chance hits it 
not at all was treated with loud peals of derision ; and 
he who did it, made the best use of his swiftness, lest 
he should have a sound blow on his neck from the bag 
of sand, which instantly swang round from the other end 
of the quintain. The great design of this sport was to 
try the agility of the horse and man, and to break the 
board, which whoever did, he was accounted chief of 
the day's sport." 

Ibid. — Blue buckram bride-lace. 
Laces of this description were anciently presented to 
all the guests at weddings, and scarfs at funerals. — Vide 
Ellis's edit, of Brand. 

Page 29,— Girths were Geazon. 
Or Geason, an ancient word, signifying rare or scarce, 
— Vide PhUSips. 

Page 30.-Pucelles. 
A French word for maids or virgins. 

Ibid. — Loober Worts. 
A dull, heavy, and useless telle - The word is pro- 
bablv derived from the Danish lubben, gross or fat, and 
worte, a wart or wen. — Vide Wolff. — Shaksepeare uses 
the latter word somewhat in this sense, when he makes 
Prince Henry say of FalstafT, " I do allow this wen to be 
as familiar with me as my dog." 

Ibid. — A sweet Sucket Barrel. 
A vessel used for containing sweatmeats, for whick 
sucket is the ancient wovd. 



101 

Page 30.— Parcell. 
Partially, or partly, 

Page 33 — His Jument. 
A French word for a mare. 

Page 34— Certain good-hearted men of Coventry. 
Previous to the suppression of the English Monaster 
ries, the City of Coventry was particularly famed for the 
Pageants which were performed in it on the 14th of 
June, or Corpus ChristUday. This appears to have been 
one of the ancient fairs ; and the Gray Friars, or Friars 
Minors of the above City, had, as Dugdale relates, " The- 
atres for the several scenes very large and high, placed 
upon wheels, and drawn to all the eminent parts of the 
City, for the better advantage of the spectators : aud con- 
tained the story of the Old and New Testament, com- 
posed in the old English rhyme." Coventry appears to 
have derived great benefit from the numbers of persons 
who came to visit these pageants. 

Page 36. — Too sour in preaching away their pastime. 
While the Cathohc religion was the established faith 
of England, there were, in connexion with it, many pub- 
lic amusements and festivals, by which all the orders of 
society were entertained ; suoh as the performance of 
Moralities or sacred plays, popular customs to be ob- 
served on certain vigils and saints' days, and the keeping 
of the many holidays enjoined by the Romish Calendar, 
in the many pastimes common to the lower classes. In 
the commencement of most reformations in society, it is 
common to find the reverse of wrong assumed for right ; 
and hence the Puritans, who increased rapidly after the 
English Reformation, not only banished all those festi- 
vals and customs peculiar to the Catholic religion, but 
also violently declaimed against popular pastimes, inno- 
cent in themselves, but condemned by them because 
they had existed in former times. This illiberal spirit 
of denouncing public amusements, was, however, not 
without some opposition ; Randolph severely attacked 
<f the sanctified fraternity of Blacktriars," in his M Muses 



102 

booking Glass," and Ben Jonson scarcely ever let them 
pass without some satirical remark. In the Monologue, 
or " Masque of Owls," the latter of which, as it was 
performed at Kenil worth, in the reign of Charles I. is 
most to the present purpose ; the third owl is intended to 
represent a Puritan of Coventry, one of those who con- 
tributed to put down the Coventry plays, and is thus 
described : 

HEY OWL THIRD ! 

*' A pure native bird 

This, and though his hue 

Be Coventry blue, 

Yet he is undone 

By the thread he has spun ; 

For since the wise town 

Has let the sports down 

Of May-games and Morris, 

For which he right sorry is ; 

Where their maids and their makes, * 

At dancings and wakes, 

Had their napkins and posies, 

And the wipers for their noses, 

And their smocks all-be-wrought 

With his thread which they bought : 

It now lies on his hands, 

And having neither wit nor lands, 

is ready to hang or choke him, 

In a skein of that that broke him." 

From the above keen satire may be gathered, that in 
abolishing of the Coventry pageants, the trade of that 
City suffered considerably. The chief staple of the place 
was the manufactory of blue thread, of which a great 
consumption was formerly made in the embroidering of 
scarfs and napkins, But beside the decay of trade in 
Coventry, occasioned by the loss of the Pageants, the 'un- 
patriotic taste for articles of foreign production, was also 
of considerable detriment to that, as well as to the other 
manufacturing towns of England. In a very rare tract, 
entitled " A briefe Conceipte of English Pollicye," 

Mates, 



105 

Lond. 1581, with the initials W. S. and ascribed t# 
Shakspeare, bat in reality written by W. Stafford, there 
are the following passages concerning the effect or this 
destructive fashion upon the staple of Coventry ; and as 
they tend so particularly to illustrate the period of the 
Kenilworth pageants, "and LanehanVs own manners, 
which were so strongly tinctured with foreign fopperies ; 
it is presumed that their insertion will not be unaccepta- 
ble to the reader : — " I will tell you ; while men were con- 
tented with such as were made in the market-towns next 
unto them, then they of our towns and cities were wel- 
set at work, as I knew the time wnen men were con- 
tented with caps, hats, girdles, and points, and all man- 
ner of garments made in the towns next adjoining, 
whereby the towns were then well occupied and set at 
work, and yet the money paid for the stuff remained in 
the country. Now, the poorest young man in a coun- 
try cannot be content with a leather girdle, or leather 
points, knives or daggers, made nigh home. And spe» 
cially no gentleman can be content to have either cap, 
coat, doublet, hose, or shirt in his country, but they must 
have this gear come from London, and yet many things 
hereof are not there made, but beyond the sea : whereby 
the artificers of our good towns are idle, and the occupa- 
tions in London, and specially of the towns beyond the 
seas, are set well at work even upon our costs. — 1 have 
heard say that the chief trade of Coventry was heretofore 
in making of olue thread, and then the town was rich 
even upon that trade in manner only, and now our thread 
comes all from beyond sea. Wherefore that trade of 
Coventry is decayed, and thereby the town likewise."-— 
In consequence, therefore, of the desire for foreign arti- 
cles of dress and ornament, England, which had been 
hitherto in a great measure supplied from her own re- 
sources, became about the close of the sixteenth century 
filled with manufactures which were imported from the 
continent; while at the same time the most important 
British productions were exchanged for what, in a com- 
mercial sense, might be considered only as superfluities. 
This, also, is very forcibly hinted at in the pamphlet be- 
fore quoted, in the following manner : — " And I marvel 



104 

no man lakes heed to it, what number first of trifles 
comes hither from beyond the sea, that we might either 
clean spare, or else make them within our realm, for the 
which we either pay inestimable treasure every year, or 
else exchange substantial wares and necessary, for them, 
for the which we might receive great treasure. Of the 
which sort I mean as well looking glasses as drinking, 
and also to glaze windows, dials, tables, cards, balls, pup- 
pets, penners (pen-cases,) ink-horns, toothpicks, gloves, 
knives, daggers, ouches (collars or necklaces,) brooches, 
aglets (the metal ends of tags or laces,) buttons of silk 
and silver, earthen pots, pins and points, hawks' bells, 
paper both white and brown, and a thousand like 
things that might either be clean spared, or else made 
within the realm sufficient for us : and as for some things 
they make it of our own commodities, and send it us 
again, whereby they set their people to work, and do ex- 
haust much treasure out of this realm : as of our wool 
they make cloths, caps, and kerseys; of our fells (hides) 
they make Spanish skins, gloves, and girdles ; of our tin 
salt-sellers, spoons and dishes ; of our broken linen cloths 
and rags, paper both white and brown: what treasure 
think ye goes out of the realm for every of these things; 
and then for altogether it exceeds mine estimation. There 
is no man can be contented now with any other gloves 
than is made in France or in Spain ; nor kersey, but it 
must be of Flanders dye ; nor cloth, but French or 
Friseadowe; nor ouch, brooch, or agglet, but of Venice 
making, or Milan ; nor dagger, sword, knife, or girdle, 
but of Spanish making, or some outward country ; no 
not as much as a spur, but that is fetched at the mil- 
liner. I have heard within these forty years, when 
there was not of these haberdashers that sells French or 
Milan caps, glasses, knives, daggers, swords, girdles, and 
such things, not a dozen in all London : and now, from 
the town to Westminster along, every street is full of 
them, and their shops glitter and shine of glasses as 
well drinking as looking, yea all manner of vessel of the 
same stuff: painted cruises, gay daggers, knives, swords, 
and girdles, that it is able to make any temperate man to 
gaze on them, and to buy somewhat though it serve to 
no purpose necessary." 



105 



Page 36. — Captain Co, . 
There is something extremely characteristic in i 
ham's manner of introducing this humourous personage . 

as he does it in the ordinary style of his office, it beirig 
customary for heralds, gentlemen ushers, and waiters of 
the presence-chamber, to call out for room to be made 
for the passage of any prince, ambassador, or minister of 
state, attending the court. In Giffords admirable edition 
of Ben Johnson's Works, in the notes to the "Masque of 
Owls," Captain Cox is supposed " to have been some 
well known humourist ;" but at any rate, as the ju- 
dicious editor very properly observes, though Laneham, 
in his description of Cox, " evidently meant to raise a 
laugh'at the captain's expense, there is no occasion for it, 
•The list of his books and songs* shows him to have- 
been a diligent and successful collector of the domestic 
literature of his country, and so far he is entitled to 
praise." By some antiquaries, the existence of Captain 
Cox has been considered as doubtful, and by others it 
has been supposed that Laneham shadowed out his own 
portrait under that name ; yet with respect to his library, 
every bibliographer, from Bodley and Selden down to 
those of the present times, has been as anxious to pos* 
sess it as sir Launcelot du Lake was to win the hoi) 
vessel. In 1626, a year after Charles I. became king, the 
Kenilworth pageants were again revived; and for this 
occasion was written the Monologue, or Masque of 
Owls," which commenced with the ghost of Captain Cox 
appearing on his hobby-horse. This, according to the 
custom of the morris-dancers, was formed with the re- 
semblance of a horse's head and tail, having a light wood* 
en frame to be attached to the body of the person who 
performed the hobby-horse. The trappings and foot- 
cloth reached to the ground, and so concealed the feet 
of the actor, who was to prance, curvet, and imitate all 
the motions of a living horse. Such, it may be suppos- 
ed, were the horses of those who performed in the Co- 
ventry play. Almost the whole of the first part of Cap. 
tain Cox's speech alludes to the entertainments exhibit- 
ed to queen Elizabeth, as may be seen by the following : 
-extract : speaking of his horse, he says, 



106 

" For to tell you true, and in rhyme, 

He was foaled in queen Elizabeth's time* 

When the great Earl of Lester 

In this Castle did feast her. 

Now, 1 am not so stupid 

To think, you think me a Cupid, 

Or a Mercury, that sit him ; 

Though these cocks here would fit him : 

But a spirit very civil, 

Neither poets god, nor devil, 

An old Keni) worth fox, 

The ghost of Captain Cox, 

For which J am the bolder 

To wear a cock on each shoulder. 

This Captain Cox, by St. Mary, 

Was at Boulogne with king Ha-ry ; 

And (if some do not vary) 

Had a goodly library, 

By which he was discerned 

To be one of the learned, 

To entertain the queen here, 

When she last was seen here : 

And for the town of Coventry 

To act to her sovereignty. 

But so his lot fell out, 

That serving then a-foot, 

And being a little man ; 

When the skirmish began 

'Twixt the Saxon and the Dene, 

(From thence the story was ta'en) 

He was not so well seen 

As he would have been o 5 the queen. 

Though his sword was twice as long 

As any man's else in the throng ; 

And for his sake, the play 

Was call'dfor the second day. 

In the above lines may also be found an explanation of 
a part of Laneham's text, namely, the word " ton sword," 
which most probably signifies a large and long two- 
handed sword. The epithet is very likely a corruption 
ofespadon, a French word which has the above meaning. 



107 

Page 44. — Salsipotent. 
An epithet derived from the Latin salsipotens, which 
signifies one who has power over the salt seas ; in which 
sense it is used by Plautus. Mnsworth. 

Page 45.— His bands scaled. 
Came away. 

Page 50. — Tonsor wise. 
More properly written tonsure-wise; that is to say* 
shaven in a circle after the manner of the monks. Vide 
Percy. 

Ibid. — Kendal green. 
This description of the minstrel's dress is particularly 
valuable, as it gives a highly -finished portrait of a class of 
men long since entirely extinct ; and therefore, as many- 
parts of the costume alluded to in the text are now un- 
known, it will form an interesting note to consider over 
and to explain them. The person mentioned is stated to 
have resembled " a Squire Minstrel of Middlesex ;" and 
from this Dr. Percy supposes, that ''"there were other 
inferior orders, as veomen minstrels, or the like." Philip 
Stubbes, in his " Anatomy of Abuses," 1595, gives a par- 
ticular detail of the Buff, which is the first part of the 
minstrel's dress mentioned in the text. From this it may 
be learned,- that a setting sticky also alluded to, was an 
instrument made either of wood or bone for laying the 
plaits of the rufFin proper form. " A side gown of Ken- 
dal green" was a long hanging robe of coarse green wool- 
len cloth or baize, for the manufacture of which the town 
of Kendal in Westmoreland was very anciently celebrated. 
From Stafford's tract already cited, it would appear that, 
this cloth was appropriated to servants ; as he there says, 
<f For I know when a serving-man was content to go in 
a Kendal coat in summer, and a frise coat in winter ; and 
with a plain white hose made meet for his body; and 
with a piece of beef, or some other dish of sodden meat, 
all the week long: now will he look to have at the least 
for summer, a coat of the finest cloth that may be gotten 
for money, and his hosen of the finest kersey^ and that of 

L 2 



108 

some strange dye, as Flanders-dye or French-puke, that 
a prince or great lord can wear no finer if he wear cloth.'* 
The mantle of Kendal-green, Laneham proceeds to stale, 
was gathered at the neck with a narrow gorget, or collar. 
The gorget, which literally signifies a throat-piece, was 
originally a part of the female dress, and consisted of a 
long piece of cloth, or other stuff, wrapped several times 
about the neck, raised on either side the face, and secured 
in the front by long pins driven into the folds. The white 
clasp and keeper were probably formed of pewter, as the 
words " white metal" are often used in this sense in the 
writers of Laneham's period. A red Caddis girdle was 
one of those Spanish manufactures of which Stafford so 
much complains; they derived their name from being 
made at the city of Cadiz in Spain, out of the fells or un- 
tanned hides, which were sent from England to be formed 
into skins of Spanish leather. To this girdle hung, as 
visual, a pair of Sheffield knives, capped, or placed within a 
case ; for as the use of forks was not known in England 
till about the year 1610, knives, for common purposes, 
were usually made in pairs. The word napkin is placed 
for handkerchief. The description of the minstrel's gown 
will easily be undersood ; and it is only requisite to re- 
mark Upon it, Xh&xfustain a-napes signifies Naples fustain, 
or what was sometimes called fustain bustain. Nether 
-stocks were under stockings. The scutcheon about the 
minstrel's neck, alludes to an ancient custom for persons 
of that profession to wear the badge of that family by 
which they were retained ; as the three belonging to the 
House of Percy wore each of them a silver crescent 

Tow rds the end of the sixteenth century, this class of 
men had lost all their former credit, and were sunk so 
low in public estimation, that in 1597, 39th of Eliz. a 
statute was passed, by which minstrels, wanderingabroad, 
were included with " rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beg- 
gars," and were directed to be punished as such. This 
act seems to have put an end to the profession. 

Page 52. — Flatvnes, 
Phillips describes a ftawn to be " a kind of dainty made 
©f fine flour, eggs, and butter,' 1 



109 

Page 57 .—Out of king Arthur's acts. 
In Caxton's edition, " La Morte d'Author," the chap* 
ier whence this story is taken is entitled, " How the 
tydings came to Arthur that kyng Ryons had overcome 
xi kynges ; and how lie desyred Arthur's berde to 
purfyl his mantel." With respect to the poetical tale 
given in the text, Dr. Percy, by whom it was printed in 
his " Reliques," supposes the thought to have been 
originally taken from Jeffery of Monmouths's History. 
It has also been printed in " Percy Enderbie's Cambria 
Triumphans," with some variations in the text, which is 
probably much more pure than that used by Laneham, 
since it'is stated to have been procured from " a manu- 
script in the library of the right honourable Thomas 
Lord Winuesore." 

Ibid. — Camelot, 
The city of Winchester. 

Ibid. — Heralds in cloaks. 
The original word in this ballad is hevtkes, which is de- 
rived from the French huque, a cloak. The tabards, or 
surcoats, of the ancient heralds, were often denominated 
houces, or housings ; and this expression was applied, in- 
discriminately, to their coats of arms, as well as to a dark- 
coloured robe without sleeves, edged with fur, which 
iliey formerly wore. 

Ibid. — Largess. 
A cry used by the heralds whenever they were reward- 
ed by knights or sovereigns,, It is still in use at a corona- 
tion. It isa French expression, signifying a present or gift, 

Ibid. — Deas. 
The highest or principal table in a hall, which usually 
stood upon a platform. The word comes from the French 
dais, a canopy, as such a covering was usually erected 
over the chief seats. 

Ibid.— 9 Gan priek. 
Pressed hastily forwards. 



Voice, sounds. 



no 

Page 57. — Steven. 



Page 5%.—Cantle, 
A piece or part. Shakspeare uses the word in king 
Henry IV. part. I. act 3, scene 1. 

u And cats me, from the best of all my land> 
A huge half-moon, a monstrous cantle out. 

Ibid. — Stour, 
A battle. 

Page 68 —The Spindle and Rock. 
A distaff held in the hand, from which the wool was 
spun by a ball fixed below on a spindle, upon which every 
thread was wound up as it was done. It was the ancient 
way of spinning, and is still in use in many northern 
counties. Vide Bailey. 

Page 71 — A beautiful garden. 
It would appear from the " Secret Memoirs of the earl 
of Leicester," that the magnificient gardens and spacious 
parks at Kenilworth were not completed without some 
oppression on the part of their possessor, as the unknown 
author of the above work thus speaks concerning them : 
— "The like proceedings he used with the tenants about 
Killingworth, where he received the said lordship and 
Castle from the prince, in gift, of '24.1. yearly rent, or 
thereabouts, hath made it better than 500/. by year, by 
an old record also found, by great good fortune, in a hole 
of the wall, as it is given out (for he hath singular good 
luck always in finding out records for his purpose ;) by 
virtue whereof he hath taken from his tenants round 
about their lands, woods, pastures, and commons, to 
make himself parks, chases, and other commodities there- 
with, to the subversion of many a good family which was 
maintained there before this devourer set foot in that 
country." At a subsequent part of the same volume is 
mentioned lord Leicester's " intolerable tyranny" upon 
the lands of one Lane, w who offered to take Killing- 



Ill 



worth Castle." A royal favourite, however, and a suc- 
cessful minister, was never yet without, enemies, and it is 
certain that lord Leicester was not; the whole of the 
volume out of which these extracts have been made, is 
filled with charges of the most dreadful crimes with 
which human nature can be stained; yet even these are 
related with such levity, such seeming familiarity with 
vice, that the reader is tempted to believe that a great 
proportion of it was fabricated by malice, and that the 
author was even worse than the character he describes. 
But to return : — The garden mentioned in the text will 
doubtless remind some readers of those splendid pleasure- 
grounds which belonged to lord Burleigh, at Theo- 
balds in Hertfordshire, and sir Walter Raleigh's at Shir- 
burne Castle in Dorsetshire. Of the former, Peck, in 
his « Desiderata Curiosa," says, "He also greatly de- 
lighted in making gardens, fountains, and walks, which 
at Theobalds were perfected most costly, beautifully, 
and pleasantly. Where one might walk two miles in the 
walks before he came to their ends." Sir Paul Hentzner, 
in his " Journey into England," when speaking of the 
same place, describes it more particularly. " From this 
place" [i. e. the gallery] " one goes into the garden, 
encompassed with a ditch full of water, large enough for 
one to have the pleasure of going in a boat, and rowing 
between the shrubs ; here are great variety of trees and 
plants; labyrinths made with a great deal of labour; a 
jet d'eau, with its bason of white marble ; and columns 
and pyramids of wood and other materials up and down 
the garden : After seeing these, we were led by the 
gardener into the summer-house, in the lower part of 
which, built semicircularly, are the twelve Roman em- 
perors, in white marble, and a table of touchstone ; the 
upper part of it is set round with cisterns of lead, into 
which water is conveyed through pipes, so that fish mav 
be kept in them, and in summer time they are very con- 
venient for bathing; in another room for entertainment, 
yery near this, and joined to it by a little bridge, is an oval 
table of red marble." Concerning the pleasure-grounds 
at Shirburne, in Peck's work before cited, there is only 
a notice that Sir Walter Raleigh had drawn the river 



112 

• through the rocks into his garden ; but Coker states, that 
he built in the park adjoining to the Castle, "from the 
ground, a most fine house, which he beautified with 
orchards, gardens and groves, of such variety and delight, 
that whether you consider the goodness of the soil, the 
pleasantness of the seat, and other delicacies belonging 
to it, it is unparalleled by any in these parts." The above 
extracts will be an amusing counterpart to Laneham's 
elaborate description of lord Leicester's gardens. 

Page 71. — White Bears. 
These effigies were allusive to ihe ancient badge of 
the earls of Warwick, which was, a bear erect Jlrgent, 
muzzled Gules, supporting a ragged staff of the first ; the 
ragged staffs were introduced -in another part of the gar- 
den, vide ante, page 75. Lord Leicester's connexion with 
the earls of Warwick was through the: houses of Lisle and 
Beauchamp, brought into the family of Dudley by his 
mother, Elizabeth Talbot. In 1561, Ambrose Dudley, 
Robert's elder brother, was made earl of Warwick, and 
consequently the badge was thus introduced. 

Ibid.— Redolent. 
From the Latin redolens, yielding a sweet smell or 
scent. 

Page 73. — Transom and architrave. 
The word architrave signifies the lowest member of 
the cornice, and an architrave window is one with an 
ogee, or wreathed moulding. A transom is a beam or 
lintel crossing over a window, 

Ibid.— Bolteld columns. 
Boltel is a term used in building, to signify any promi- 
nence or jutting-out beyond the flat face of the wall. 

Ibid. — Pointed, tabled, rock and round. 

It is evident that these precious stones were imitated 

in painting ; and that they were meant to represent the 

gems in their various appearances. Pointed, or rose, as> 

it is termed by the lapidaries, is when a stone is cut with 



113 



ittany angles rising from an octagon, and terminating in 
a point. Tabled is when a diamond is formed with one 
flat upper surface/ and the word table also signifies the 
principal face. Rough is understood to mean the gem in 
its primary state, when its radiance is seen to sparkle 
through the dross of the mine. Round denotes the jewel 
when it is cut and polished with a convex s rrface. The 
expression "garnished with their gild," which follows 
in the text, signifies ornamented with their settings. 

Page 76. — Tridental f us kin. 
A term derived from the Lati, fuscina, an eel-spear, 
trident, or three forked mace. —Vide A .isworth. 

Page 77, — For etymon of the word worthy to be called 
Paradise. 

Laneham, in making use of this expression, gave to 
Lord Leicester's gardens a name which it was custo- 
mary to apply to pleasure-groun is ana houses in the six- 
teenth and seventeenth centuries, as in the instances of 
Wresseil and Lekinfield, in the East Hiding of York- 
shire. 

Page 80. — Binites. 
A word probably coined by Laneham to express duali- 
ty, or the quality of being two. Its principal derivation 
is evidently from the Latin binus, two. 

Ibid. — Bice for ground and gold for letters. 
Bice is a pale blue colour prepar :u from the Armenian 
stone, formerly brought from Armenia, but now from 
the silver mines of Germany; in consequence of which 
smalt is sometimes finely levigated, and culled bice. The 
dials alluded to in the text were enamelled, and with the 
sun's reflection on the gold figures, heightened by the 
azure ground, must have had a most splendid appear 
ance. 

Page 83. — The iron bedstead of Og, King of Baian 
Vide Deuteronomy, chap, iii. verse 11. 



'■'t " 



114 



Page 84. — Lanuginous. 
An adjective derived from the Latin lanuginosus, downy, 
covered with soft hair. 

Page 87. — Defecated. 
A participle formed of the Latin verb defceco, to purify 
liquors from their lees and foulness. 

Ibid.— Gittern — cittern—virginals. 
The two first of these instruments, if not the same, 
were at least closely resembling each other. The words 
are a corruption from the Spanish citara, a guitar ; or 
Citron, a guitar-maker. Citterns were a species of that 
exieusive class of musical instruments of the guitar 
form, known in the best era of music in England, which 
went under the names of the Lute Qmpharion, Bambo- 
ra, &c. some of which had notes to 9. — -Vide " A Path- 
way to iVIusick," obi. 8vo. The virginals was a keyed 
instrument of one string to each note like a spinet, but 
in shape resembling a small piano-forte. 

Page 90. — Spanish Sospires, &c 
Laneham gives in this passage a specimen of making 
lov in the various languages in which he was skilled. 
Suspiro, in the Spanish tongue, signifies a very deep sigh; 
He, in the French, expresses the emotions of the soul in 
love ; Dolce, in Italian, means dear or beloved; and m 
Dutch, Hoqfshied is the word for courtship. 



FINIS, 



LB \ 



